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Written question asked by James Plaskitt (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 November 2009. It was answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour) on Thursday, 12 November 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

National Public Order Intelligence Unit

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what definition of extremist is used in respect of compiling data on the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU); what forms of evidence gathered by forward intelligence teams are retained by the NPOIU; how many individuals are identifiable by spotter cards on the NPOIU database; and how many individual names are recorded on the NPOIU database.
Answer

Domestic extremism refers to the crime and disorder committed by the small number of individuals and organised groups who are prepared to break the law in support of single-issue causes. It does not refer to views or opinions.The National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU) collects information and intelligence so that the police can carry out threat and risk assessments to safeguard public safety, the right to peaceful protest, and to prevent crime and disorder. The data is also used to support the investigation of crimes that are carried out in furtherance of causes linked to protest activity.The collection of intelligence by NPOIU is carried out in compliance with the relevant legislation which sets out the method and purpose for its collection, retention and dissemination.Decisions to retain or dispose of information by the police service are carried out on a case by case basis, based on their assessment of the type and amount of information held on an individual and whether this is proportionate for policing purposes, and on risk-based decisions about public protection.The use of spotter cards by local forces is a matter for local Chief Officers. Owing to the manner in which data is stored on the NPOIU database, which includes, for example, open source material such as newspaper articles, it is not possible for the police to provide an exact figure on how many names are referenced on the database. Information kept on any individuals would be dealt with under a Subject Access Request made under the Data Protection Act.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
499 c953-4W; 298339
Session
2008-09
Subjects
National Public Order Intelligence Unit
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk