Terrorists ‘using women as couriers’ to evade security

It is believed terrorists are emulating criminal gangs and using women to courier their cash because they believe they will arouse less suspicion.

Other Britons are abusing their student loans and welfare benefits to bankroll terrorism in Syria and across the world, Assistant Commander Terri Nicholson, from the counter-terrorism command, said.

She said: “Terrorists will frequently use people who are not known to the police or security services to courier money. This is a common method. This is the case in any type of criminality - drug couriers are no different.

“It is far better in many cases to use somebody who is not known to law enforcement or the security services, and females absolutely are used by both criminals and terrorists alike to move funds.”

Earlier this year British mother Amal El Wahabi was jailed for more than two years for trying to arrange to smuggle 20,000 euros to her husband, who is believed to be a jihadi fighting in Syria.

The warnings came as police continue their counter-terrorism awareness week, focusing today on the fight against the financing of illicit groups. In Yorkshire, solicitors, accountants and money bureau staff will be visited by counter-terrorism officials today as part of efforts to raise awareness about how extremists can use their businesses to aid their violent attacks.

The North East Counter Terrorism Unit will also be trying to advise the public about terrorists who try to exploit public goodwill be setting up false charities.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Wilson, head of the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “Terrorists need funds to facilitate travel, training and the purchase of weapons and materials.

“Anything we can do prevent them from successfully gathering, transporting or managing their funds is an important step in disrupting terrorist activities and attacks.”