National Domestic Extremism and Disorder Intelligence Unit

The National Domestic Extremism and Disorder Intelligence Unit (formerly, the National Domestic Extremism Unit) is a national police unit within the Metropolitan Police Service Business Group.^[1][2]

History

In 2004, the unit was set up within the operational arm of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) of England and Wales. Specifically within TAM (Terrorism and Allied Matters) Committee. The unit reported to the ACPO committee and was answerable to all chief police officers across the country.^[3]

After its closure in 2008, the part role of the Special Demonstration Squad was taken up by the National Domestic Extremism Unit.^[4]

Metropolitan Police Specialist Operations Business Group

In November 2010, it was announced that the three ACPO units commanded by the National Coordinator for Domestic Extremism would be rebranded as the National Domestic Extremism Unit and brought under the control of the Metropolitan Police Business Group by mid-2011.^[5] Two of the merged units were the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit.

By 2013, the unit held records on nearly 9,000 individuals.^[6]

Criticism

As a result of The Guardian articles with regards the activities and accusations of PC Mark Kennedy of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit within the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit, and the collapse of the subsequent trial of six activists, a number of initiatives and changes were announced:^[7][8]

• Acknowledging that "something had gone very wrong" in the Kennedy case to the Home Affairs Select Committee,^[9] Home Office minister Nick Herbert stated that ACPO would lose control of three teams involved in tackling domestic extremism. Herbert re-announced the already planned transfer of the units to the Metropolitan Police, with acting commissioner Tim Godwin confirming that this would occur at the earliest possible timescale.^[7]
• Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary announced that Bernard Hogan-Howe would lead an investigation into ACPO, to assess whether undercover operations had been "authorised in accordance with law" and "proportionate".^[7]
• The Serious Organised Crime Agency announced an inquiry into the conduct of Mark Kennedy.^[7]
• The Independent Police Complaints Commission announced an investigation into Nottinghamshire Police, over allegations it suppressed surveillance tapes recorded by Kennedy, the contents of which may have exonerated the six Ratcliffe activists.^[7]

See also

• National Domestic Extremism Team
• Special Demonstration Squad

References

1. "Domestic extremism". MI5 – The Security Service. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
2. "About NDEDIU". National Police Chiefs' Council. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
3. "FAQ". Association of Chief Police Officers. 8 December 2012. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
4. "Special Demonstration Squad". PowerBase. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
5. "Police on 'tightrope' at protests". Press Association. 23 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
6. Lewis, Paul; Evans, Rob; Dodd, Vikram (26 June 2013). "National police unit monitors 9,000 'domestic extremists'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
7. Travis, Alan; Lewis, Paul; Wainwright, Martin (17 January 2011). "Clean-up of covert policing ordered after Mark Kennedy revelations". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 19 January 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
8. Slack, James (18 January 2011). "Police chiefs body loses power to run undercover units in wake of eco-warrior spy scandal". The Daily Mail. London. Archived from the original on 19 January 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
9. "Police inspectors review undercover operations". BBC News. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.