Operation Rich Picture
This article is part of the Counter-Terrorism Portal project of Spinwatch. |
Operation Rich Picture (sometimes referred to as Project Rich Picture) is the codename given to a covert Security Service (MI5) and Police operation aimed at collating intelligence and information relating to the radicalisation of British Muslims.[1]
The UK Government's Contest strategy states that the objective of Operation Rich Picture is to:
"Provide a wider understanding of the context of terrorist activity and radicalisation in this country. Under this programme information is collected on issues related to violent extremist activity in local communities".[2]
The Independent reported that the instigation of Operation Rich Picture has led the Security Services and the Police to investigate up to '8,000 suspected al-Qa'ida sympathisers' in 'colleges, mosques and internet websites' in order to ensure that those individuals who may be trying to 'groom or radicalise those sympathetic to the aims of al-Qa'ida' are apprehended and prevented.[3]
As the below diagram shows, Operation Rich Picture is active on all scales i.e., it is a intelligence collation programme that is targeted toward 'all members of the [Muslim] community', 'priority groups' such as young Muslims and at those Muslims who are showing signs of moving toward violent extremism who thus need to be de-radicalised (interventionist approach).
Expansion
According to Contest 2, Operation Rich Picture will be expanded in the future across policing and the security services and will also include 'external partners'.[5] In other words, external partners will assist the police and security services (MI5) collate intelligence and information on people that are suspected of being terrorists.
Notes
- ↑ Jason Bennetto, MI5 conducts secret inquiry into 8,000 al-Qa'ida 'sympathisers' The Independent, 3 July 2006, accessed 15.03.2010
- ↑ Pursue, Prevent, Protect, Prepare: The United Kingdom's Strategy for Countering International Terrorism March 2009, HM Government, p.65 - accessed 15.03.2010.
- ↑ Jason Bennetto, MI5 conducts secret inquiry into 8,000 al-Qa'ida 'sympathisers' The Independent, 3 July 2006, accessed 15.03.2010
- ↑ Association of Chief Police Officers (Terrorism Allied Matters) Business Area Police PREVENT Strategy - Partners Briefing, 'Restricted' 27th March 2008, This document is a restricted document and is not meant to be circulated outside the Local Strategic Partnership meeting, Version 1.7, accessed 12.08.10
- ↑ Pursue, Prevent, Protect, Prepare: The United Kingdom's Strategy for Countering International Terrorism March 2009, HM Government, p.65 - accessed 15.03.2010.
