The number of extremist and terror-related material discovered online — and subsequently removed — by police in the UK has trebled in the last few years, along with the rise of Daesh, also known as Islamic State.
New figures released by the police show UK forces removed 17,541 pages of Internet content related to Daesh in 2013 — increasing to 55,556 in 2015.
Nationwide appeal to report extremist and #terrorist material online using red "STOP"… https://t.co/cxK6qdzMaz pic.twitter.com/IZ0bPKix0G
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) 14 April 2016
Counterterrorism officers are now appealing to the British public to help report extremist and terrorist material when they see it online.
'Stop'
A STOP button, which stands for "STOP Terrorists' and Extremists' Online Presence" is springing up on social media channels in an attempt to remove as much material as possible during a 36 hour operation.
U can now report terrorist material online — Your report will be treated anonymously. https://t.co/YEaVVUDkCO pic.twitter.com/VPlyKxC33Y
— BWC Partnerships (@BWCPartnerships) 15 April 2016
The UK Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) removes around 1,000 pieces a week, including terrorist propaganda video, pictures of beheadings, bomb-making instructions and speeches inciting racial or religious violence.
"The Internet and social media provide many opportunities for those with extreme views to target young or vulnerable people and their methods are constantly evolving, from using new phone apps to hijacking popular hashtags in order to reach wide audiences," Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball, senior national coordinator for counter terror policing said.
'Everyone Has the Ability'
Inspired by what he saw online, 25 year old Junead Khan from Luton was recently convicted for plotting to kill soldiers in counties surrounding London.
Follow these 4 steps to #STOP #Terrorist & #extremist Presence Online — visit https://t.co/XcohuSJPNO pic.twitter.com/LOlPgNnl0C
— Prevent Tragedies (@PreventUK) April 15, 2016
Khan had accessed and shared Daesh propaganda videos online and suicide bomb-making instructions published on the Internet in the run up to his planned and murderous attack.
The rate and rise in Daesh-related content being removed from the Internet is not only down to the proliferation of the terrorist propaganda — but people becoming more aware of what they are looking at online and reporting it to the police.
"Everyone has the ability to recognize hatred and intolerance online," Minister for Internet safety and security Baroness Shields said.
"The Internet was developed to bring together, it is vital we work in partnership to stop those who exploit it to drive us apart."
