Tag Archive for 'China'

Dame Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive, The British Library

Published on December 3, 2009 in Consultations. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Public libraries hold a special place in the minds of many people of all ages and social backgrounds, and could and should sit at the heart of every community. Their appeal to such a broad spectrum of people offers enormous potential to provide a range of services and information, although the first challenge is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity open to them, through raised awareness, encouragement, tailored opening hours (late, early, Sunday etc).

This ‘think piece’ aims to make a contribution through the challenge of four ideas. It is not intended to answer the whole challenge of making libraries fit for the 21st century, nor do I wish to rehearse again the debates around the importance of reading v digital activities. I believe that a core of activities and services that contribute to making a ‘good library service’ should be stated, championed, and evaluated and that, through local engagement and accountability, there are many opportunities for differential services to be offered. The recently published CILIP guide ‘What Makes a Good Library Service’ is a particularly welcome addition to the tools that help to encourage consistently high standards in public libraries.

Idea one

The recent launch of a universal library card to enable access to books at any public library is a significant step in widening library access to an ever-more-mobile population. There remains however a huge leap to greater access by providing many more people with library cards that will unlock the vast resources, expertise and support available to them.

Issuing a universal library card alongside birth certificates would literally ensure every child is very visibly offered the chance to be a member of, and benefit from, the public library system and beyond. It would become a citizen ‘birth-right’ and could be linked to Bookstart which currently provides books to babies, along with information on reading to their parents.

Whilst there are often informal links between university libraries and the British Library, and in the case of the latter we certainly play a part in supporting public libraries through a range of activities, these links could be better promoted to increase public access to a wider range of materials. The Inspire scheme already plays a valuable role in supporting libraries across England in working together, whether they be public, higher education, health, specialist or national libraries. Together these libraries offer a hugely powerful resource and the challenge is to create seamless access to all citizens.

Idea two

A recent visit to the National Library of China gave me the opportunity to learn of plans there to establish a nationwide network of 70,000 digital grass roots cultural centres, 33 regional centres, and a national centre. The National Library of China will coordinate activity and training, and contribute its digitised book collections and archives to this programme, which aims to create at village level a digital community archive in traditional languages, dialects, local affairs, photographs and oral history. Alongside these community cultural archives it is hoped that this initiative will act as a catalyst for IT skills development. As is often the case in China, the sheer scale of the project is awe-inspiring, but it offers a valuable vision on what it is possible to achieve.

The British Library has touched upon some of the areas covered by China’s programme; for example our ‘Sounds Familiar’ website provides access to recordings of a broad range of dialects from across Britain, whilst our newspaper website provides access to three million pages of digitised and fully searchable newspapers online. These and many other similar projects have obvious local relevance, and there is the potential for extending such projects much more widely at local level. This would give opportunities to add user-generated content, adding richness to local collections and developing digital skills and involvement of local communities.

Idea three

The Digital Britain report highlighted the need to increase digital/media literacy levels for those of all

ages and backgrounds. Libraries can and should play a significant role in this work. Increasingly they have been equipped with computers for public use, offering invaluable access to resources for those who would otherwise be disenfranchised. Of course it is desirable that all homes have high speed broad-band, but meanwhile, why not use and promote public libraries as trusted and safe spaces to carry out this role, and to lead the development of citizen media literacy skills alongside reading skills. This would help fulfil a vital role to ensure that no member of society is locked out of the modern world through any lack of capability or access routes to an increasingly digital society.

Idea four

Since it opened in March 2006, the British Library’s Business and IP Centre has helped more than 100,000 people to start their own businesses. Initial discussions have already taken place with a few large public libraries interested in delivering the services we offer in London to their communities, through a combination of an online portal and local business support using the British Library model. The idea resonates particularly in large urban centres and with libraries which already have skills and services in business information

Whilst public libraries already play a significant role in communities across Britain, there is enormous scope to increase their value, and to make them a lively, welcoming and indispensable part of the public service landscape for the 21st century.

Proposals 14 – 16

Published on November 6, 2009 in Reports. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

How we will further strengthen the role of universities at the heart of our communities and shared intellectual life, and as one of the key ways in which we engage with the wider world

Universities have a vital role in our collective life, both shaping our communities and how we engage with the rest of Europe and the wider world. They play a huge role in our communities through the provision of cultural and sporting amenities and in passing on and preserving a set of shared societal values, including tolerance, freedom of expression and civic engagement. They have the capacity to provide intellectual leadership in our society, in areas such as the transition to a low carbon economy.

Proposal 14

We will build on the contribution that universities have made, in partnership with Regional Development Agencies and local business, to regional economic development

To sustain the role of universities in urban renewal and regeneration, the Government will protect the freedoms that higher education institutions currently enjoy, within the framework of existing capital and investment approval processes, to devise their own business plans and borrow commercially to fund new developments. The Government supports the role that Regional Development Agencies play to provide capital for university schemes that they judge to be of high economic value to the locality and region. The Government also believes that RDAs have a key role to play in working with business at local and regional level to support knowledge transfer activities and deepen university links with local and regional businesses: this is crucial to improving the quality of management in Britain and Britain’s future success as an innovation economy.

All universities are major contributors to the regions where they are located. They are large employers and the students they attract bring revenue to local businesses. Many universities also see themselves as important civic institutions in their city and region: this role is to be praised and should be enhanced. The Government welcomes the role that universities play in engaging their local business community and strengthening the quality of local civic leadership. They are usually active contributors to the economic development strategies of Regional Development Agencies and local authorities, supporting the creation and growth of local businesses. Their building programmes can be integral to wider regeneration programmes. The projects supported by HEFCE’s Economic Challenge Investment Fund illustrate the many ways that universities can help their areas get through the economic downturn.

Local engagement is also crucial to the university function of extending access to higher education among social groups and in areas where it is unacceptably low. Public funding has already supported the creation of new universities in parts of the country, like Cornwall and Cumbria, where no university previously existed. The Government also welcomes higher education provided by and with FE colleges and other providers as a means of promoting easier and wider access.

Universities are one of the key ways in which people from outside Britain engage with us, and through which we engage with the world. Our universities need to be strongly committed to internationalism; attracting students from abroad; collaborating with institutions overseas; and bringing their expertise to bear on global challenges. They should instil a sense of internationalism in students by teaching European and global perspectives and encouraging language learning and study abroad.

Proposal 15

We will champion the international standing of our universities.

UK higher education is well regarded internationally. We attract high quality students, researchers and university staff from around the world. Currently there are 340,000 foreign students in the UK from 239 different countries; the UK is second only to the USA as a destination for such students. One sixth of our academic staff are from outside the UK, and 90 per cent of our universities have international research links. The net annual contribution to the UK’s national income made by international (non EU) students in higher education is estimated at £5.5bn.

Individual institutions have built strong partnerships with China, India, and other countries. However, the strength of the international market for higher education means that many other countries are competing with us. To retain their position, our universities need to demonstrate strengths in research and knowledge transfer as well as student recruitment, growing long-term strategic partnerships in key countries.

Different institutions will pursue their own priorities, but the Government can help communicate a strong “UK Higher Education” brand, and align it with the Government’s diplomatic and cultural agenda, and with our international trade strategy led by UKTI. We have just established a new International Education Research Advisory Forum, chaired by the Minister of State for Higher Education, to bring together Government departments and agencies, the UK’s devolved administrations, and universities. Its purpose is to strengthen links between the British Council, UKTI, the Research Councils, and BIS’ own Science and Innovation Network, so that the UK presents its strongest possible story to potential international partners.

Proposal 16

We will empower our universities to be world leaders in the growing market in transnational education based on e-learning

We will support the new task force led by Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library, to help UK higher education remain a world leader in online learning, and grow its market share by 2015. The task force will identify opportunities for investment and innovation within and between universities and colleges, and with the private sector, in the development of online learning, including the building of critical mass. Through HEFCE, we will be prepared to provide seedcorn funding on a competitive basis for university-private sector partnerships which will strengthen our market position.

We believe that in a rapidly expanding global market, institutions based here have a unique opportunity to provide education in many different forms. The UK’s advantages in both research and teaching are supported by our established strengths in both accreditation and educational publishing. The potential to develop international education through partnerships with broadcasters and internet service providers is considerable, and in our view will shape and strengthen the higher education sector over the coming decade.

1.2 Communications Data and Public Safety

Published on April 27, 2009 in Consultations. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Communications data plays a critical role in helping those public authorities whose responsibility it is to keep us safe to do their jobs. Assistant Commissioner John Yates of the Metropolitan Police has said that:

“The availability of Communications Data to investigators is absolutely crucial. Its importance to investigating the threat of terrorism and serious crime cannot be overstated.

Communications Data helps us save lives, provides us with opportunities to develop investigative leads, establishes the links between co-conspirators in the most serious of crimes, and assists us in the apprehension of fugitives from justice.

Finally, in a significant number of the most serious of cases, Communications Data provides the vital evidence that supports a successful prosecution of the offenders.

Without its continued availability, I am concerned that our ability to successfully investigate a wide range of crimes would be severely hampered.”

Communications data is used by a number of public authorities specified by Parliament to protect the public. These public authorities include the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and the emergency services. Data may also be obtained in more limited circumstances by local authorities when they are carrying out their statutory responsibilities to combat crime1.

In 2007-8 there were 519,2602 acquisitions of communications data under RIPA Part 1, Chapter II. Of this figure, a very small proportion (1,707 or 0.3%) involved acquisition of communications data by local authorities3.

The Interception Commissioner confirmed that, “the intelligence agencies, police forces and other law enforcement agencies are the principal users of communications data”.4

The Serious Organised Crime Agency has reported that, in 2006-7, lawful interception and communications data contributed to the recovery of £29m of criminal assets and stolen cash; 151 firearms being taken off the UK streets with the arrest of a number of gang members; some 830 arrests and the seizure of 3.5 tonnes of Class A drugs; and the rendering of assistance in 35 threat to life situations, leading to the prevention of a number of murders.

Communications data has four principle uses:

I. Building a picture of a suspect and a network of contacts

Communications data can provide a fast, secure and accurate indication of the activities and contacts of a suspected criminal or terrorist. Attributing these individuals to particular phone numbers or communications devices would be virtually impossible without using communications data. That data also allows the appropriate authorities to link a suspected terrorist or criminal to a network or gang to which they belong.

Communications data is therefore vital to counter-terrorism. It has played a significant part in almost all major Security Service investigations over the last decade.

Case study: a terrorist investigation

In June 2007 two separate attempted bomb attacks occurred in London’s West End and at Glasgow airport.

The subsequent police investigation used communications data extensively to establish the chain of events that led up to the attempted bombings, and as evidence in the trial. Phone records showed that the two conspirators established contact in February 2007.

Mobile phones, that police established had been used by one of the conspirators before the attacks, were used as triggers for attempting to detonate the bombs in London’s West End. This was later used as evidence to help to convict the bomber who survived his attack on Glasgow airport.

Case study: a drugs arrest

A search of a Dutch-registered vehicle recovered 40 kilos of heroin, 150 kilos of amphetamine, 556 kilos of ecstasy tablets and 15 kilos of ecstasy powder with an estimated street value of £19 million.

Eight mobile telephones were seized from the driver and the intended recipients. Combining physical evidence recovered from crime scenes with the associated communications data from these mobile phones enabled the investigating team to link the Sheffield based drug supplier and his brother and associates to the drugs seized from the lorry. This allowed further arrests and prosecutions to be brought.

Case study: protecting vulnerable children

A 10-month international police investigation into an online peer-to-peer network was coordinated by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).

The investigation centred on a network used by paedophiles to request, trade and create hundreds of child abuse images.

Through the investigation 700 suspects were identified in 35 countries around the world. This was only possible through the use of communications data and covert internet investigative techniques.

As a result over 30 children were rescued from sexual abuse.

II. Providing evidence in criminal prosecutions

Communications data is used extensively as evidence in court. Bill Hughes, Director General of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, states that:

“using communications data and intercept intelligence are key factors in over 95% of the most significant investigations directed at the Serious Organised Crime groups assessed as causing the most harm to the UK.”

It is also used in most major terrorist trials.

Case study: the murder of Rhys Jones

On 22nd August 2007, Rhys Jones, an 11-year-old schoolboy, was shot dead in the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Liverpool. He was walking home from football practice when he became the innocent victim of a feud between two rival gangs.

Following a long and difficult investigation Sean Mercer was arrested, charged and subsequently convicted of the murder. Six other members of the gang were also convicted of assisting an offender and possession of prohibited firearms.

Communications data was used to attribute telephones to each of the offenders, demonstrate association at key times and place individuals at specific locations. It also showed that the telephones of the key offenders were in the Kirby area some twenty minutes after the murder – helping to establish that Mercer and other convicted associates attended business premises in order to burn the gunman’s clothing and douse him in petrol to remove firearms discharge residue.

Communications data was essential to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Case study: the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman


In 2002, during the investigation into the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, communications data from mobile phones exposed flaws in Ian Huntley’s alibi. Data from Holly and Jessica’s mobile phones showed that they had been in or very close to his house. Records of calls and text messages between Mr Huntley and his ex-girlfriend, Maxine Carr, also showed that she was in Grimsby when Mr Huntley killed the victims and that she deliberately misled the police over his whereabouts.

Case study: the murder of Sana Ali

In May 2007 Sana Ali was stabbed to death at her home address in Bury. Her husband had been having an affair with another woman, Harmohinder Sanghera, who was subsequently convicted of the murder.

The prosecution relied on the discovery of mobile phone location data which showed that Sanghera had travelled to Bury and back from her home address in Birmingham on the day the crime was committed.

Similar data also demonstrated to the jury that Sana Ali’s husband was elsewhere at the time of the murder. Harmohinder Sanghera was later found guilty of murder.

III. Protecting vulnerable members of the public

Communications data is used daily to ensure that the emergency services can locate people who may be vulnerable to imminent harm:

* Emergency services use data to identify the location from where an emergency call has been made;

* And to identify the whereabouts of a missing person.

Case study: a kidnap investigation

In 1999, seven Chinese nationals were kidnapped in London after they had been smuggled into the UK, and ransoms demanded from their families in China.

One of the hostages had used the mobile phone of another Chinese migrant to call home the night before. Through communications data the Police were able to identify the destination number in China called by the UK mobile. They then asked UK communications service providers to check whether they had carried a call to that destination number since the man was kidnapped. One provider discovered that it had carried two calls within hours of the kidnap.

From the company’s call data records the Police were able to tie the associated communications data to a number of other mobile phones and to fixed line telephones at a number of addresses. They were also able to identify the numbers being dialled in China, both those linked to the hostages’ families and those linked to the gang members involved in collecting the ransoms. They were also able to identify the telephone numbers in The Netherlands of other gang members about to smuggle the next batch of illegal immigrants into the UK.

From this information the Police were able to put the locations in the UK identified from communications data records under surveillance, and provide the Chinese authorities with intelligence to put the gang extorting the ransoms there under surveillance too.

After nine days the hostages were rescued and 56 people involved in the conspiracy to kidnap were arrested, resulting in a combination of nine convictions, with many others being handed over to the immigration services.

Case study: a coastguard rescue at sea

In June 2008 a series of almost unintelligible mobile phone calls was received by Lincolnshire Police and Yarmouth and Humber Coastguards indicating that a yacht was in trouble in the North Sea. Yarmouth Coastguard requested communications data that enabled the caller’s location to be estimated as two miles off Skegness.

Skegness All-Weather and Inshore Lifeboats were launched to assist and managed to find the yacht which had lost its mast, suffered propeller damage and was taking on water. Of the four people on board, one was very dehydrated from acute sea sickness.

The distressed crew members were taken aboard Skegness Lifeboat and returned safely to shore.

IV. Providing information which enables targeted interception of communications

Access to the content of any communication in transmission under warrant by the law enforcement and intelligence agencies must be personally authorised by the Secretary of State5. Analysis of communications data is an essential precondition of correctly targeted lawful interception. The law requires that interception warrants must describe the communications which are to be intercepted, for example by setting out the address, numbers or other factors that are to be used for identifying the communications that are to be intercepted. Without communications data that would not be possible.

1. This consultation is about why and how communications data is collected, stored, and made available to public authorities. A separate public consultation was launched on 17 April 2009 dealing with the issue of which public authorities should be entitled to obtain communications data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, and for what purposes this should be allowed.

2. Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Report 2007, paragraph 3.7, p8

3. Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Report 2007, paragraph 3.26, p11

4. Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Report 2007, paragraph 3.7, p8

5. Before issuing an interception warrant, the Secretary of State must believe the warrant is necessary in the interests of national security, to safeguard the economic well-being of the UK or to prevent or detect serious crime. Furthermore, the Secretary of State must also believe that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by carrying it out.