A Europe that protects: Denying #terrorists and #criminals the means to act

The European Commission is taking additional steps to further curtail the space in which terrorists and criminals operate – denying them the means needed to plan, finance and carry out crimes. Six months after the anti-terrorism package of October 2017, the Commission is proposing measures to: bolster the security of identity cards and reduce document fraud; provide law enforcement and judicial authorities with access to financial information; further restrict terrorists' access to explosives precursors; and strengthen controls on the import and export of firearms.

First Vice President Frans Timmermans said: "Security has been a top priority of this Commission from day one. We continue to support member states' efforts to better protect our citizens and safeguard their freedoms. And today, we are stepping up our actions to deprive criminals and terrorists of the tools and resources they need to perpetrate their crimes – delivering on our commitment to a Union that protects."

Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said: "Today we take action to restrict explosives precursors and firearms, to step up the security of ID cards, and introduce measures to help law enforcement access information they need to fight crime and terrorism. This is how we move closer to a genuine and effective Security Union."

Security Union Commissioner Julian King said: "By giving law enforcement access to crucial pieces of financial information, we are closing another loophole being exploited by terrorists, and hitting them where it hurts – their finances. Together with facilitating easier gathering of electronic evidence, tightening controls on firearms and explosives precursors and strengthening the security of ID cards,we are further squeezing the space in which terrorists operate."

The Commission is also proposing new rules to make it easier and faster for police and judicial authorities to obtain the electronic evidence, such as e-mails or documents located on the cloud, they need to investigate, prosecute and convict criminals and terrorists. The new rules will allow law enforcement in member states to better track down leads online and across borders, while providing sufficient safeguards for the rights and freedoms of all concerned.

Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Commissioner Vera Jourová added: "While law enforcement authorities still work with cumbersome methods, criminals use fast and cutting-edge technology to operate. We need to equip law enforcement authorities with 21^st century methods to tackle crime, just as criminals use 21^stcentury methods to commit crime.”

Finally, the Commission is reporting on the progress made on other priority initiatives which will pave the way towards a genuine and effective Security Union.

• Security Union: A press release, Q&A and a factsheet are available online.
• Electronic Evidence: A press release, Q&A and a factsheet are available online.

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