British Police and Security Combat Terrorism
Jim Kouri, CPP
July 11, 2005
In the aftermath of the deadly terrorist bombings in London on July 7, many Americans are curious about British law enforcement and security, especially their roles in counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, response to terrorist attacks and the like.
The Secretary of the Home Office is responsible for the overall domestic security of the United Kingdom because he has direct responsibility for counterterrorism policy and legislation, the police, and the security and intelligence work of the legendary Security Service (MI5).
The Home Secretary also has a coordinating role. As the head honcho of the Cabinet committees on terrorism and related issues, he supervises all counterterrorism work across the government to bring together the supporting work of Ministers in other departments. Through these committees he also oversees work on contingency planning such as preventing and responding to major crises including terrorism.
Police in the United Kingdom on both the national and local level are responsible for investigating terrorism, as part of their role of investigating, detecting and preventing crime. They investigate criminal offenses, and decide whether or not to make arrests. In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, they also decide whether or not to bring charges.
The police work closely in conjunction with the Home Office, other law enforcement agencies, and the security and intelligence agencies. The Commander of the Metropolitan Police Antiterrorist Branch is appointed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) as the national coordinator for the investigation of acts of terrorism.
The Home Office gives the police the powers and funding they need to do their job. But day to day policing -- such as deciding to make arrests and how to allocate officers so as best to protect the public from a range of potential threats -- is entirely the independent responsibility of each force's Chief Constable. This is part of the separation between operational and political responsibility.
The military have specialized equipment and expertise -- such as bomb disposal -- that the police may sometimes call upon in support of their operations. It is the judgment of the police as to when military support is needed and what form it should take, and where and how it should be deployed.
This is known as Military Aid to the Civil Power, and is normally requested by a Chief Officer of Police. These requests are made via the Home Office, and they then seek formal agreement from the Ministry of Defense.
Most commonly, the police will request specific equipment for specialist functions. However, if the police assess the need for it, the Home Secretary can agree to general military support. This was the case during a police operation at Heathrow in February 2003. There, as always, the police operational commander decided, with the military commander, what troops and equipment were deployed, and where and how.
The Security Service or MI5 is responsible for all matters that bear on UK national security, and collects intelligence about security threats, including terrorism. Using covert methods to obtain information about target organizations, MI5 develops detailed knowledge over time about their key personalities, infrastructure, plans and capabilities.
MI5 agents Investigate threats by gathering, analyzing and assessing intelligence Counter specific threats by taking action, where appropriate in conjunction with others advise Government and others as necessary on the nature of the threat, and on relevant protective security measures The Security Service has no executive powers. Cases likely to result in prosecution are coordinated closely with the police, or Customs and Excise, who take the necessary action.
The Director General of the Security Service reports personally to the Home Secretary, who is responsible to Parliament for their actions. Only the Home Secretary can authorize warrants allowing the Security Service to carry out intrusive surveillance.
SO13
In 1970, a small investigation unit was founded within the Metropolitan Police Service as the result of an increase in politically-motivated crime in the Capital. Several weeks later the home of Robert Carr, then Minister for Employment, was damaged by an explosion. Responsibility for this was later claimed by a group calling itself "The Angry Brigade". As a result, the Metropolitan Police Bomb Squad was formed.
It was renamed the Anti-Terrorist Branch in March 1976 following the increasing number of bombings, assassinations and other terrorist incidents by suspected members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and other groups. During an exceptionally busy period between 1970 and 1997, the Anti-Terrorist Branch investigated 1,312 bombings and 58 shootings. Many of its investigations are high profile and attract a great deal of media and public interest.
The Anti-Terrorist Branch is fully equipped to provide a 24-hour service, with teams of officers immediately available to respond to any type of incident or investigation. Senior investigating officers are supported by experienced detectives, forensic scene examiners, search trained personnel and surveillance officers. Other facilities include an extensive major incident room and research team.The Anti-Terrorist Branch is also known as "SO13", an internal police service designation reflecting the fact that it is one of a number of branches within the Metropolitan Police.
Sources: Scotland Yard, Office of the Home Secretary, United Kingdom Security Service (MI5), American Federation of Police - Also special thanks to Graham Satchwell, former head of Criminal Investigation Division for all transport police in England, Wales and Scotland for a number of years and visiting lecturer at the British Police Staff College where he lectured on dealing with major incidents to senior police officers. Chief Satchell's assistance is greatly appreciated.
The Secretary of the Home Office is responsible for the overall domestic security of the United Kingdom because he has direct responsibility for counterterrorism policy and legislation, the police, and the security and intelligence work of the legendary Security Service (MI5).
The Home Secretary also has a coordinating role. As the head honcho of the Cabinet committees on terrorism and related issues, he supervises all counterterrorism work across the government to bring together the supporting work of Ministers in other departments. Through these committees he also oversees work on contingency planning such as preventing and responding to major crises including terrorism.
Police in the United Kingdom on both the national and local level are responsible for investigating terrorism, as part of their role of investigating, detecting and preventing crime. They investigate criminal offenses, and decide whether or not to make arrests. In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, they also decide whether or not to bring charges.
The police work closely in conjunction with the Home Office, other law enforcement agencies, and the security and intelligence agencies. The Commander of the Metropolitan Police Antiterrorist Branch is appointed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) as the national coordinator for the investigation of acts of terrorism.
The Home Office gives the police the powers and funding they need to do their job. But day to day policing -- such as deciding to make arrests and how to allocate officers so as best to protect the public from a range of potential threats -- is entirely the independent responsibility of each force's Chief Constable. This is part of the separation between operational and political responsibility.
The military have specialized equipment and expertise -- such as bomb disposal -- that the police may sometimes call upon in support of their operations. It is the judgment of the police as to when military support is needed and what form it should take, and where and how it should be deployed.
This is known as Military Aid to the Civil Power, and is normally requested by a Chief Officer of Police. These requests are made via the Home Office, and they then seek formal agreement from the Ministry of Defense.
Most commonly, the police will request specific equipment for specialist functions. However, if the police assess the need for it, the Home Secretary can agree to general military support. This was the case during a police operation at Heathrow in February 2003. There, as always, the police operational commander decided, with the military commander, what troops and equipment were deployed, and where and how.
The Security Service or MI5 is responsible for all matters that bear on UK national security, and collects intelligence about security threats, including terrorism. Using covert methods to obtain information about target organizations, MI5 develops detailed knowledge over time about their key personalities, infrastructure, plans and capabilities.
MI5 agents Investigate threats by gathering, analyzing and assessing intelligence Counter specific threats by taking action, where appropriate in conjunction with others advise Government and others as necessary on the nature of the threat, and on relevant protective security measures The Security Service has no executive powers. Cases likely to result in prosecution are coordinated closely with the police, or Customs and Excise, who take the necessary action.
The Director General of the Security Service reports personally to the Home Secretary, who is responsible to Parliament for their actions. Only the Home Secretary can authorize warrants allowing the Security Service to carry out intrusive surveillance.
SO13
In 1970, a small investigation unit was founded within the Metropolitan Police Service as the result of an increase in politically-motivated crime in the Capital. Several weeks later the home of Robert Carr, then Minister for Employment, was damaged by an explosion. Responsibility for this was later claimed by a group calling itself "The Angry Brigade". As a result, the Metropolitan Police Bomb Squad was formed.
It was renamed the Anti-Terrorist Branch in March 1976 following the increasing number of bombings, assassinations and other terrorist incidents by suspected members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and other groups. During an exceptionally busy period between 1970 and 1997, the Anti-Terrorist Branch investigated 1,312 bombings and 58 shootings. Many of its investigations are high profile and attract a great deal of media and public interest.
The Anti-Terrorist Branch is fully equipped to provide a 24-hour service, with teams of officers immediately available to respond to any type of incident or investigation. Senior investigating officers are supported by experienced detectives, forensic scene examiners, search trained personnel and surveillance officers. Other facilities include an extensive major incident room and research team.The Anti-Terrorist Branch is also known as "SO13", an internal police service designation reflecting the fact that it is one of a number of branches within the Metropolitan Police.
Sources: Scotland Yard, Office of the Home Secretary, United Kingdom Security Service (MI5), American Federation of Police - Also special thanks to Graham Satchwell, former head of Criminal Investigation Division for all transport police in England, Wales and Scotland for a number of years and visiting lecturer at the British Police Staff College where he lectured on dealing with major incidents to senior police officers. Chief Satchell's assistance is greatly appreciated.
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