Internet is becoming a 'dark and ungoverned space', says Met chief

The internet is becoming a “dark and ungoverned” space and technology firms need to do more to help protect against paedophiles, murderers and terrorist, Britain’s most senior police officer has warned.

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the level of encryption available to those offenders who operate on or thought the web is so sophisticated it is frustrating police investigations and is in danger of making the internet “anarchic”.

He called on communication providers and internet companies to do more to protect the public from terrorism and serious crime.

His comments echo concerns by the new head of the UK spy agency GCHQ, Robert Hannigan, who earlier this week warned some internet services had become "the command and control networks of choice" for terrorists and criminals.

Speaking at a law enforcement conference in New York, Sir Bernard said: “We cannot allow parts of the internet - or any communications platform - to become dark and ungoverned space where images of child abuse are exchanged, murders are planned, and terrorist plots are progressed.

“In a democracy we cannot accept any space - virtual or not - to become anarchic where crime can be committed without fear.

“Yet this is in danger of happening.

“This is a considered view that is shared by many law enforcement and intelligence professionals both at home and indeed here in the US.”

The police chief was speaking after a series of meetings with American counterparts in New York and Washington to discuss the terrorism threat and increasing technology.

Those he met included New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton, Washington police chief Cathy Lanier, Los Angeles police chief Charlie Beck and FBI Director James Comey.

He added: “Privacy is important, but in my view the security of communications methods and devices is growing beyond what any genuine domestic user could reasonably require.

“The levels of encryption and protection that we are seeing in the devices and methods used to communicate are frustrating the efforts of police and intelligence agencies to keep people safe.

“We need an informed, balanced discussion with communications providers to explore what they can do to help us protect the public from serious crime and terrorism."

On Monday, Mr Hannigan, the Director of GCHQ, said Facbook, Twitter and other internet services were being exploited by terrorists and criminals but the companies were "in denial".

He said Isil terrorists in Syria and Iraq had "embraced the web" to intimidate enemies and inspire "would–be jihadis" from all over the world to join them.

"GCHQ is happy to be part of a mature debate on privacy in the digital age. But privacy has never been an absolute right and the debate about this should not become a reason for postponing urgent and difficult decisions," he said.

He urged US technology companies to work with the security services, arguing that it is time they confronted "some uncomfortable truths" and helped to stop their services from being used to "facilitate murder or child abuse".

But a technology industry group that represents Silicon Valley giants including Apple, Microsoft and Google later insisted there will be no "new deal" with the Government to tackle web extremism.

Sir Bernard later revealed that police are carrying out 100 preventative cases linked to Syria every week.

He added: "The speed and ferocity with which IS has advanced has shocked and horrified the world."

But he stressed that Isil was not the only threat, adding: " there are 60 other terrorist organisations proscribed under UK terrorist legislation and each and every one is proscribed for a reason."

He said: "And of course the threat does not only come from those who are physically travelling.

"The threat also comes from those in their homes - in the UK or indeed the US - who don’t get on a plane but do log onto their computer."