A Funding Method Of Domestic Extremism

Fri, 08 August 2008 Courtesy of: NETCU

The National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (NETCU) along with its sister unit the National Domestic Extremism Team (NDET) are promoting the positive policing of unlawful street collections nationally as a continuation of the successful MPS Operation Redmill.

Domestic extremism groups rely on funding to support themselves and a substantial proportion of these funds are raised via unlawful street collections. Funds from unlawful street collections can be used by extremist groups to pay the webmaster for websites that incite criminal actions, hire cars to commit criminal offences, purchase articles to commit criminal damage, pay lawyers to fight criminal prosecutions and to finance their own personal lifestyle.

Legislation to police street collections is contained within Sec 5 Police Factories (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916. Depending where the street collection is to take place (either the local council for each district, or if in London the common council of the City of London or the police authority for the Metropolitan Police District) regulations may be made to permit in any street or public place, within their area, the collection of money or selling of articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes. It is an offence for any person to act in contravention of any such regulation.

NETCU and NDET suggest the following good practice in respect of policing street collections:

· Check all stalls and see that where they are collecting monies that they are in possession of a licence granted by the proper authority.
· Remember the authority to collect is just that – it authorises someone to stand in a street with a collecting tin. It does not authorise a stall or any other obstruction of the highway.
· Collectors can be required to produce a written authority 'forthwith' on request of a constable. This includes every collector or person assisting at the stall, not just a nominee. Remember to record the full details of the collectors and the promoters for intelligence gathering purposes.
· Record the nature of the literature being offered either freely or for sale. If the literature is being given away, obtain samples and consider seizing if illegal street collections are being carried out. The option of arrest without warrant is subject to the necessity test required by Sec 24 PACE.
· Check on the internet for permit regulations granted for street collections for your area. Regulations will vary between areas. The regulations will provide for the issue of licenses, dates and times of collections, locations of collections, number of people who may collect in a group and minimum ages of collectors.

The problem of unlawful street collections varies from region to region. In London, one unlawful street collection in Bond Street was raising over a £1,000 per day and much of this was going to fund extremist activities. A spokesperson for NETCU stated – "It is sobering to think that the collector on the High Street stall on the Saturday morning may also be the activist in a balaclava on a Saturday night. Positive policing can make a difference and help to disrupt funding opportunities for domestic extremism".

Further information and advice can be obtained by contacting NETCU on 01480 425091or NDET on 02070848584.