A top secret map of extremism in the UK has been compiled by police and the British domestic security service known as MI5, it was revealed Tuesday. Inspector of Constabulary Denis O'Connor refused to divulge details, but the map was understood to show evidence of domestic extremism in virtually every British county. O'Connor told the Police Superintendents Association conference in Warwickshire, central England, the map was one of the key factors in his decision to propose a radical shake-up of policing in England and Wales.The intelligence services and police are thought to have uncovered extremism not just in predictable areas such as London, northern England and Northern Ireland, but also in smaller cities, towns and even rural areas. The map is believed to bring together evidence of Muslim radicalism, Irish terrorism and animal rights extremists, by depicting hotspots in brighter colours than areas where extremism is at lower levels. Only one or two Scottish police forces were believed to be devoid of extremism.
The map was thought to have been shown to a special meeting between Police Chief Constables and British Home Secretary Charles Clarke yesterday. In his report published last Friday which recommended reducing the number of police forces in England and Wales, O'Connor said "There is good reason to believe that ... risk posed by civil contingencies, domestic extremists, terrorists and dangerous offenders are widespread rather than narrowly based."