News / Shetland won’t escape new terror laws
SHETLAND must remain “vigilant” against the threat of terrorism despite its remoteness, according to a local councillor.
Shetland North member Alastair Cooper’s comments came as Shetland Islands Council, schools and the health find themselves covered by new anti-terror legislation being brought in by Westminster.
The new Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 calls on public agencies to show “due regard” for signs of people being radicalised.
Amongst other things, the new ‘Prevent’ strategy, which came into effect on 1 July, encourages the use of web filters to ensure public buildings are not used to access extremist views.
Training will also be given for school staff to identify pupils at risk with advice on how to safely challenge dangerous ideologies.
Cooper, who chairs the SIC’s community safety and resilience board, said that whilst the isles may not appear to have a high level of immediate threat, there is “no excuse not to pay attention” to the issue.
“I think it’s a thing that every community needs to recognise the risk of,” he said.
“I think we need to pay attention to it, but I don’t think we necessarily have the same scale of problem as some areas do.”
The councillor, who also chairs the SIC’s development committee, suggested that the Sullom Voe oil terminal and the new gas plant could be potential targets.
“It’s something that I wouldn’t want to be seen to be talking up, but we have to recognise that we have two installations that are very important to the UK economy,” he said.
“To be honest, Sullom Voe has been a sensitive site since it’s been built. We’ve been safe so far, but I don’t think that’s to say we should relax – we do need to be vigilant.”
SIC education and families committee chairwoman Vaila Wishart declined to elaborate on how it will be implemented in Shetland’s schools.
However, she stated that local educators will soon have to decide on how to best carry out the legislation in the isles.
“As with the rest of Scotland, Shetland schools will have to meet their duty and will be considering how best to do that when the new school session starts in August.”
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