UK: Passports Could be Seized to Fight Terrorism

Local Editor

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday proposed new laws that would give police the power to seize the passports of Britons suspected of having traveled abroad to fight with terrorist groups.

Speaking to Parliament, Cameron said his government is also working on plans to block such suspected British extremist fighters from re-entering Britain.

The power to monitor such suspects who are already in Britain would also be strengthened.

Britain's Home Secretary already has the authority to withhold passports in some cases, but Cameron said more is needed to ensure police at border crossings could act in time when they spot a suspect.

"We will introduce specific and targeted legislation to fill this gap by providing 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," Cameron said.

The plans to widen Britain's anti-terror laws, which are likely to be approved by parliament, are aimed at preventing attacks by militants returning from terror training in countries in the Middle East.

Like other Western countries such as the US, France and Germany, Britain is worried that citizens who travel abroad to join extremist groups could threaten their home country when they return.

Moreover, Intelligence and security services suspect that around 500 Britons have gone to fight in Syria and potentially Iraq.

Authorities on Friday raised Britain's terror threat alert from "substantial" to "severe," the second-highest level, in response to the crises in Iraq and Syria and concerns that extremist groups could target Europe. The alert means that an attack on Britain is "highly likely" - though the government did not provide information to suggest an attack was imminent.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team