Research, Information and Communications Unit
The Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU) is a counter-terrorism strategic communications unit. It exists to ensure that the Government has a positive impact in its counter terrorist communications, and to both counter the impact of terrorist communications directly, and assist others in doing so.
RICU is structured to enable a more seamless local, national and international approach to counter terrorist messaging. That is why it is owned jointly by the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is based in the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism in the Home Office.
Its responsibilities:
We report to the three Secretaries of State for our parent Departments.
The purpose of RICU is to ensure that the UK Government communicates effectively
in order to reduce the risk of terrorism, by:
- Advising CONTEST partners on counter-terrorism related communications
- Exposing the weaknesses of violent extremists’ ideologies and brand
- Supporting credible alternatives to violent extremism
Please find Updates by clicking here
“CONTEST-The Facts Oct 2009”
On Saturday 17th October the Guardian newspaper published an article on the Prevent strand of CONTEST- the Government’s Counter Terrorism Strategy. The article claimed that the Prevent strategy ‘is being used to gather intelligence about innocent people who are not suspected of involvement in terrorism'. The attached document sets out some key messages that may be helpful in communications activity regarding the article and the allegations made.
We would appreciate your feedback on the format, content and timing of this document as well as suggestions on issues you would like it to cover. Please email ricu@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk with comments or if you would like to subscribe.
Quilliam speaks at CLG 'Preventing Violent Extremism' inquiry
Yesterday Ed Husain, Quilliam’s co-director, gave evidence to the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee’s inquiry on ‘Preventing Violent Extremism’.The inquiry is being held to consider the effectiveness of the 'Prevent' programme to date, and its likely effectiveness in the future.
A complete recording of the event is available online here:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5259
Quilliam’s written submission to the CLG inquiry is available here:
http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/images/quilliam_submission_on_prevent_09.pdf
An e-update is also avaliable by clicking here about the company.
