Stop and account defended as terrorist threat remains (From Harrow Times)

Top Harrow Police officer warns of anti-semitic attacks

3:58pm Tuesday 27th January 2009 in News By Tristan Kirk

RESIDENTS should be on the lookout for terrorist attacks in the wake of the current conflict in Gaza, the Borough Commander of Police in Harrow has warned.

Chief Superintendent Richard Walton pointed out more than 220 anti-semitic incidents have been reported in London in the last five weeks, and people should be on the lookout for possible attacks in the future.

He said: “It's worth saying events in Gaza over the last few months could possible have effects in a terrorist context.

“You can't be naïve around the context of Gaza and it may create certain issues of terrorism in the future.”

Mr Walton was speaking at the annual general meeting of the Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group, where counter terrorism was the featured topic.

Councillor Jeremy Zeid (Tory/Kenton West) raised the issue of Israel and Palestine and its potential effects in Britain, after police upped their presence around synagogues and Jewish schools in the wake of several attacks thought to be related to the current conflict.

Mr Walton had earlier outlined some of the work being done by police to combat a whole range of terrorist threats in Harrow.

He defended his officers' use of stop and search and stop and account powers, saying they are a necessary and legitimate tool in the battle against terrorism.

He said: “I don't want to alarm people suggesting the threat is bigger than it is, either in Harrow or in the UK, but in certain contexts of the threat we face, we can't afford to be complacent.

“Terrorists do reconnaissance for their attacks, and if you use a camera around a transport hub in the town centre, you can expect to be stopped and asked what you are doing.”

Stop and account powers were attacked this week by Dr Rachel Joyce, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Harrow West, who was questioned by police after taking a photo of Harrow Bus Station.

She argued it was “a poor reflection on police priorities that innocent photographers are stopped under terrorism laws”, and urged officers to divert their resources elsewhere.

But Mr Walton defended the use of the powers while the threat level remains “severe”, the highest level it can be on the basis of intelligence.

He urged residents to stay on the lookout for suspicious behaviour, such as taking photos of high profile buildings, unusual transactions of money, or irregular purchases from shops.

They can report anything in confidence to the anti-terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321, and Mr Walton said investigations are carried out discreetly.