Operation Niche
: Conclusion - Conviction :
Update Note (17.09.07)
After almost 18 months duration, the above
enquiry concluded at Glasgow High Court on 17th September 2007 with the conviction of Mohammed Atif Siddique on
all charges libelled under the Terrorism Acts 2000 and 2006, in addition to the common law charge of Breach of the Peace.
This concludes a challenging and complex investigation
conducted by Central Scotland Police.
The foremost concern at this time is to ensure
community wellbeing, including that of the Siddique family. The foregoing messages
conveyed by Assistant Chief Constable Maureen Brown in recent press releases are of vital importance:
“Mohammed Atif Siddique has been convicted
of serious terrorism offences and I wish to make absolutely clear at the outset that this investigation has only ever been
about one thing – criminality. It was not about specific communities or a particular faith.
“What this case has demonstrated is
that we will not tolerate terrorism in any form, including the possession of materials which would be useful to someone wanting
to commit an act of terrorism or to induce or encourage someone to take such a course of action. Our actions were carried
out firmly in the interests of wider public safety.
“Central Scotland Police led the inquiry
but this was a multi-agency investigation from the outset and is a prime example of different law enforcement organisations
working together to address a particular issue. Some of these organisations supplied officers to work alongside Central Scotland
Police teams.
“This inquiry was large in scale and
complex. It meant gathering evidence from more than 5100 computer discs, the analysis of 34 computer hard drives, analysis
of 25 telephones and a further 19 SIM cards. Six cars, two houses and one business premises were also searched. It was made
even more challenging as the material seized had to be translated from three languages – Urdu, Arabic and Punjabi.
“This has been a challenging time for
our local community in Central
Scotland and Alva and there have been difficult issues to discuss. We have worked alongside the community throughout
this period, to provide reassurance and appropriate levels of information. There is a strong track record of community relations
in Central Scotland and through lay advisers, community contact officers at local mosques and other communications forums
with the public, this has been maintained and enhanced with support and understanding shown for the police inquiry and the
minority ethnic community. We have also maintained a dialogue with the Siddique family through a number of channels.
“This case and other recent events have
shown that terrorism is not just an issue for the major cities in England.
The threat is with us now, it’s real and we should all take responsibility for helping to tackle it.”
Superintendent Andrew Price’s (Area
Commander for Clackmannanshire), additionally conveyed messages are also important:
“Locally, we have maintained a dialogue
with members of the entire community since 13 April 2006 and have sought to give reassurance wherever it was required.
“Clackmannanshire is vibrant, close-knit
and diverse community, it is not a sprawling urban environment which might be considered by some to provide a more likely
background to a case such as this. The community has responded maturely and responsibly to the events which unfolded on 13
April 2006. I would reiterate that Central Scotland Police and the community of Clackmannanshire will not tolerate intolerance
towards any member of the public because of race or religion.
“We will work with the public and all
of our partners to ensure that this remains a place that is safe and welcoming to all.”
Your support as Community Advisors, partner
agencies and elected members is critical at this time. Your support to date has helped ensure that community tensions have
remained low. There is of course the possibility that as a result of increased media attention, there may be adverse reaction
towards BME members of our community.
In addition to the critical messages above,
I wish to take this opportunity to re-iterate the previous messages of reassurance and emphasise the need to ensure confidence
in reporting incidents and concerns:
· Central Scotland Police works
closely with all communities in the Force to establish positive working relationships.
·
Minority ethnic groups are part of the community fabric of Central Scotland.
·
There has been no evidence to date in the proceedings of heightened
tensions in Central Scotland.
·
The vast majority of people in our communities have and will respond
in a mature and sensible way.
·
The force is committed to the thorough investigation of all racially
and religiously motivated incidents and hate crimes.
·
Perpetrators of such crimes can expect a robust response and they will
be pursued.
·
We will deal sensitively with the victims of such crimes.
·
Officers will show respect when visiting any religious premises.
·
Crimes of this nature against property will also be robustly investigated.
·
Working together we can reduce the incidents of hate crime - the police
are committed to working with our communities.
·
A partnership approach is also undertaken with a range of key agencies
to tackle racist attacks or incidents.
·
We would encourage the reporting of any such incidents – communities
help solve crime, this includes third party reporting should the victim not wish to come to the police.
Third
party reporting is available via:
·
Local mosques
·
Central Scotland Race Equality Council (CSREC) Ltd
·
Chinese Association
·
Indian Association
·
International Cultural Forum, (Falkirk)
·
RAHMAS partners website
·
Victim Support
We will of course continue to provide updates
in terms of any change in community tensions and again ask for your continued support in encouraging the reporting of any
incidents, as well as assuring members of our communities that all such incidents will be dealt with robustly.
As intimated previously well in advance of
the trial, we will provide further feedback and a forum for further discussion by convening an extra-ordinary meeting of our
Lay Advisors for Minority Ethnic Affairs. A mutually convenient date will shortly be advised, taking into account any impact
factors presented by sentencing requirements or potential appeal restrictions.
Derek Penman
Chief Superintendent
Operations
