Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit

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The Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU) is a single Special Branch created by the four Welsh police forces. Its remit covers international Terrorism, Irish-related terrorism and domestic extremism.[1]

WECTU was formerly heaed by then Assistant Chief Constable of South Wales Giles York.[2]

George Monbiot has accused WECTU of lacking public accountability:

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) now runs three units whose purpose is to tackle another phenomenon it has never defined: domestic extremism. These are the National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (Netcu), the Welsh Extremism and Counter-Terrorism Unit and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit. Because Acpo is not a public body but a private limited company, the three bodies are exempt from freedom of information laws and other kinds of public accountability, even though they are funded by the Home Office and deploy police officers from regional forces.[3]

Finance

WECTU's budget of approximately £3.5 million per annum is largely funded though the Home Office and ACPO TAM.[4]

External Resources

Notes