UK reaction to AQ terror threat:
MI5 to get go-ahead for regional cells
Richard Norton-Taylor
Monday July 12, 2004
The Guardian
MI5 is to set up regional "intelligence cells" to counter the threat from Islamists, counter-terrorist officials said last night.
The move, which has been in the pipeline for months, is expected to get the go-ahead today when the chancellor, Gordon Brown, announces large increases in the national security budget as part of the government's comprehensive spending review.
The first cells will be set up in the West Midlands and north-west England, security sources said yesterday.
MI5 officers will work closely with special branch officers attached to local police forces.
Security sources said last night that the decision to estabish permanent MI5 cells out of London was in response to the threat from al-Qaida sympathisers.
The cells are also likely to be responsible for recruiting Muslims as informants for MI5. The MI5 website encourages Muslims to help in the fight against terrorism and Arabic speakers to join the agency.
A pilot scheme for setting up regional bases is expected to be established this summer. MI5 is currently looking for premises outside London.
New technology will allow intelligence to be passed from regional bases to MI5's headquarters at Thames House in London, where it will be analysed by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, a special unit set up after September 11.
with an offence.
snipped
The move into the regions by MI5 reflects a growing belief that the threat to Britain's security comes from within the UK.
it's something, but as i read it, they're staying in london in addition to moving to regional offices.
Ya' don't have to hit me over the head with a hammer twice...a lot of in-the-know people in a lot of governments and agencies seem to be awfully nervous, especially when taken cumulatively.