Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism
The Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism is an executive directorate of the UK government Home Office, created in 2007, responsible for leading the work on counter-terrorism in the UK, working closely with the police and security services. The office reports to the Home Secretary and Minister of State for Security and Counter-Terrorism. Its current Director General is Tom Hurd, who is described as the senior government official responsible for counter terrorist and organised crime strategy.Responsibilities
According to its website, the current responsibilities of the OSCT are:
- Exercising the UK's response to a terrorist incident
- Developing legislation on terrorism here and overseas
- Providing security measures and protection packages for public figures
- Ensuring that the UK’s critical national infrastructure is protected from attack
- Ensuring the UK is prepared to deal with a chemical, biological, or nuclear release
- Liaising with government and emergency services during terrorist incidents or counter-terrorism operations
In May 2014, the Director General of OSCT made a witness statement on behalf of the government and the three main intelligence agencies for the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, in a legal case brought by advocacy groups including Privacy International, Liberty and Amnesty International, explaining the legal basis for the interception of electronic communications under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. This was characterised in the media as an explanation of how the security services can legally monitor "Facebook, Google and Twitter" usage by UK citizens.Programmes
The Preventing Violent Extremism strategy, is a £140 million programme run by OSCT.
In 2013, OSCT stated that 500 people had gone through its Channel deradicalisation programme, including some considering participating in the Syrian civil war, steering some away from violent extremism.
