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<p> </p><p> </p><p>British citizens fighting with violent extremist groups committing
atrocities in Syria and Iraq will clearly have the potential to pose a threat to the
UK should they return. Such individuals are among our primary counter-terrorism concerns.<br><br>For
those individuals who are at risk of radicalisation, agencies such as the police and
local authorities work together to assess the nature and the extent of the risk and,
where necessary, provide an appropriate support package tailored to individual needs.
<br><br>We advise against all travel to Syria; anyone who does so is putting themselves
in considerable danger. We have held community events in mosques and universities
to dissuade people from travelling to Syria and to help Syrian people in other ways,
emphasising that Syrians themselves have been clear that they do not want foreigners
to come to their country. The best way for the public to help is to donate to orotherwise
support UK registered charities that have ongoing relief operations.<br><br>Where
an individual intends nonetheless to go to Syria, there are a number of tools at our
disposal to disrupt travel. In some cases we can use the Royal Prerogative to withdraw
passports. We also use powers to question people at borders to determine whether they
are involved with terrorism. The Pre-Departure Checks Scheme is in place to identify
those who pose a terrorist or terrorism-related threat and prevent them from flying
to and from the UK. Where individuals have left the UK, we work with international
partners to disrupt onward travel. <br><br>If there is evidence that people are going
to Syria to engage in terrorist activity they can be arrested and prosecuted. Each
case is considered individually; if the police refer a case to the Crown Prosecution
Service, they consider whether there is sufficient evidence of any offence, and if
so, whether it is in the public interest to prosecute.<br><br>As the Prime Minister
announced in the House on 1 September, this Government is seeking to strengthen our
ability to meet the unprecedented scale of this threat. The proposed new counter-terrorism
powers include:<br><br>* Specific and targeted legislation to provide the police with
a temporary power to seize a passport at the border, during which time they will be
able to investigate the individual concerned.<br>* If there is any judgment that threatens
the operation of our existing powers to revoke passports, introducing primary legislation
immediately so that Parliament, not the courts, can determine whether it is right
that we have this power.<br>* A targeted, discretionary power to allow us to exclude
British nationals from the UK.<br>* Putting our long-standing arrangements on aviation
security around the world on a statutory footing. Airlines will have to comply with
our no fly list arrangements, give us information on passenger lists and comply with
our security screening requirements.<br>* Putting our de-radicalisation programme,
called Channel, on a statutory footing.<br>* New powers to add to our existing Terrorism
Prevention and Investigation Measures, including stronger locational constraints on
suspects under TPIMs – either through enhanced use of Exclusion Zones, or through
relocation powers. Anyone subject to our strengthened Terrorism Prevention and Investigation
Measures will be required to engage with the PREVENT programme.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
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