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Many counter-terrorism measures implemented since ‘9/11'and the London bombings are supported by the UK population, even where they erode some civil liberties, Whitehall-commissioned research has suggested. However, the same study concludes that Muslim communities in the UK ‘perceive some aspects of counter-terrorism legislation to be unfair, unjust and discriminatory'. Research published by the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) – an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence – attempts to reflect UK attitudes towards counter-terrorism following the attacks on New York's World Trade Centre in September 2001 and the London bombings in July 2005. It assesses attitudes towards key UK anti-terror laws passed in recent years, including the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, the Terrorism Act 2006, and the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008. It found: ‘Opinion polls seeking to be representative of the UK general population tend to show majority agreement, or support for, certain CT measures even though they may erode civil liberties.' Among the policies assessed were the Government's maximum limits for the detention, without charge, of terror suspects, and controversial ‘stop and search' powers for police forces. Amid evidence of rising levels of Islamaphobia following major terror attacks, and examples of some bungled police operations involving supposed Muslim ‘terror suspects', however, the study added: ‘Evidence shows there to be less support within samples of UK Muslim populations who have stronger negative perceptions of counter-terrorism legislation.' While the general conclusions of the research will surprise few policy-makers, the study will provide a key resource for experts at the Home Office and CLG working on crucial community cohesion. The study warns, for example, that ‘low confidence and trust towards UK authorities could have a detrimental effect on the willingness of Muslim communities to accept and support… future counter-terrorism legislation.' One Whitehall insider told The MJ: ‘You might think the general conclusions to the DSTL's research are a little obvious. But without robust assessments of wider attitudes to anti-terror legislation, policy-makers and ministers would struggle to balance the competing need to protect the UK population and uphold civil liberties, particularly in the case of Muslim communities.'

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WHITEHALL

Public back anti-terrorist measures says study

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