Operation Rich Picture

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This article is part of the Counter-Terrorism Portal project of Spinwatch.

Operation Rich Picture (sometimes referred to as Project Rich Picture) is the code name 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

ACPO diagram showing the place of the following elements of the Prevent strategy: Rich Picture, Operation Delphinus, Operation Nicole, MAPPA, Channel Project[4]

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

  1. Jason Bennetto, MI5 conducts secret inquiry into 8,000 al-Qa'ida 'sympathisers' The Independent, 3 July 2006, accessed 15.03.2010
  2. Pursue, Prevent, Protect, Prepare: The United Kingdom's Strategy for Countering International Terrorism March 2009, HM Government, p.65 - accessed 15.03.2010.
  3. Jason Bennetto, MI5 conducts secret inquiry into 8,000 al-Qa'ida 'sympathisers' The Independent, 3 July 2006, accessed 15.03.2010
  4. 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
  5. Pursue, Prevent, Protect, Prepare: The United Kingdom's Strategy for Countering International Terrorism March 2009, HM Government, p.65 - accessed 15.03.2010.