Police accused of failing to record terrorist web site closures

The police need to keep better records regarding terrorist web sites

The police have been accused by the Conservatives of failing to keep proper records regarding terrorist web sites they have shut down.

The criticism came from shadow security minister Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, a former chairwoman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, following exchanges in the Lords with security and counter terrorism minister Lord West, the former Royal Navy chief.

She said records were needed to ensure that web sites officially closed or barred remain off-line.

West admitted that owing to "a weakness" in the Terrorism Act local police forces "have probably not recorded as well as they should exactly when they have shut down a site".

He also revealed that his office is in talks with the Association of Chief Police Officers to close the gap. He said: "This means the security services will have precise facts to work on."

Neville-Jones warned: “Terrorists are getting better at using technology to attract recruits and Labour are still playing catch-up."

She added: "With our national security at stake, Labour really must get a grip.”