Dear: Extension is 'propaganda coup' for al-Qaida

The former target of an IRA parcel bomb, and former chief constable of Nottingham, has called for smarter tactics to combat terrorism.

Geoffrey Dear writes in the Guardian that the proposal to extend pre-charge detention to 42 days will help the terrorists, rather than the police.

In fact Mr Dear describes the government's proposed law change as a "propaganda coup for al-Qaida".

"The immediate danger if we travel down this road is that we will lose the battle for hearts and minds abroad, and particularly in the minority groups in this country, whose long-term support is vital if we are to counter and remove the threat of terrorism," he wrote.

It is more important for police to "forge stronger relationships with minority communities", he claims.

Mr Dear is also a former HM inspector of constabulary and is now an independent peer in the House of Lords.