The Home Affairs Select Committee Report on Counter-terrorism

Along with key partners, CT policing has well established and extremely effective mechanisms for protecting the public. As part of its inquiry, the Committee received written and oral evidence from the police and wider stakeholders that recognised the strength of existing arrangements.

We are therefore concerned that the Committee has recommended that responsibility for CT policing should be moved to the NCA; a decision that does not appear to supported by the evidence and is based on an apparent misunderstanding of the role played by the Metropolitan Police Service. CT policing is not directed through a single lead force but rather has responsibility vested in nine chief constables across the UK in areas where the threat is considered to be the greatest. These chief constables act collaboratively and effectively on behalf of all forces, while at the same time maintaining close and critical links into local policing.

The nature of the terrorist threat means that links between the international arena and the streets of our neighbourhoods are a vital feature of our current system, admired and respected by other countries. Our continued success relies heavily on front-line policing, whereby local police officers work closely with their communities every day, not least to be able to support those people who may be vulnerable to the risks of radicalisation. We are able to gather information from the public because they have confidence in local policing and we work hard to ensure that the enforcement activity we take is carried out in such a way that we can maintain public confidence.

The scale of our effort is illustrated by the large number of ongoing investigative operations, including those relating to Syria. Over the last two years alone there have been in the region of 400 terror-related arrests resulting in 80 individuals being charged.

The Home Secretary has previously confirmed that she will conduct a review of CT structures. We welcome any such review and look forward to participating fully and constructively in it. We believe that any decision to move away from the existing broad, collaborative arrangements must be based on rigorous evidence and analysis. Only then can we conclude, and agree with confidence, the best model for CT policing going forward.

This statement is issued on behalf of Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Terrorism and Allied Matters (TAM) Board consisting of Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick, Chief Constable Sara Thornton, Chief Constable Peter Fahy, Chief Constable Chris Sims,Chief Constable Mark Gilmore, Chief Constable Matt Baggott and Chief Constable Stephen House.

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk