Support workers to spot terrorists

Published on Wednesday 17 February 2010 09:01

CITY leaders have been accused of encouraging staff to snoop on residents after support workers and concierges were given training on spotting signs of terrorist activity in people's homes.

The city council has already sent around 60 staff on counter- terrorism sessions where they are asked to look out for anything that would suggest terrorist activity and report it to police.

Staff sources say that the sessions have included being told how to spot anything suspicious, and being asked to report anything – no matter how trivial – to police, such as quantities of empty bottles of bleach.

Support workers who visit a range of clients in their own home including vulnerable groups, people with addictions and elderly people, have been among the first to get the training.

Concierges, community safety teams and other front-line staff across the council are also to be sent on the sessions, which are hosted by police as part of the Home Office's counter-terrorism strategy.

But Colinton/Fairmilehead councillor Jason Rust, who was told about the classes by a constituent, said: "This Big Brother approach is frankly unbelievable. Support workers have very clear roles and I'm not convinced anti-terrorism training should be part of that.

"The support workers are working with the elderly and infirm, physically disabled, and those with mental health and learning disabilities, as well people with drug and alcohol addictions and the homeless.

"Clearly trust is an important part of the work and most people would be less likely to trust someone if they knew they were explicitly spying on them.

"It is disgraceful that workers who are meant to be offering support to some of the most vulnerable people in our city are being used in this way."

John Stevenson, president of the Edinburgh branch of Unison, said: "Any council worker in any situation that suspects a danger to public health would be expected to report that, as would any other member of the public, but we cannot ask council workers to be the eyes and ears of the police. They are there for a specific purpose only."

The council confirmed that it did not spend any money on the classes, but is sending staff following an invitation from police.

Iain Livingstone, assistant chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "National security is a priority for Lothian and Borders Police, and under the Home Office CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy, police forces routinely engage with partner agencies and members of the public to promote information-sharing.

"As part of this strategy our officers have been briefing staff at the City of Edinburgh Council on how they can assist police in identifying potential terrorist and other criminal activity, all of which promotes community safety.

"It is generally recognised that information-sharing is a key element in preventing terrorist and criminal activity, therefore it is imperative that we continue to engage with partners by advising on how they can assist police."

A city council spokeswoman said: "It is common practice for our staff to be briefed by partner agencies on issues that may come up in the course of their work."