UK Counter Terrorism Policing - Working to keep people safe from terrorism
Counter Terrorism Policing is a collaboration of UK police forces working with the UK intelligence community to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity.
Police have a long history of working to prevent vulnerable people being drawn into criminal behaviour. The government-led, multi-agency Prevent programme aims to stop individuals becoming terrorists and police play a key role.
We work with local authority partners and community organisations to help find solutions and work to support and protect vulnerable people.
Following assessment, many referrals to Prevent do not result in any further police action. In some cases other organisations such as health, housing or education step in to provide support.
All referrals to police are handled with sensitivity and in confidence.
If a person is assessed as being a terrorism risk, they may be referred to Home Office’s Channel Programme and maybe given help from a mentor.
Find out more about the Prevent programme and the reported myths.
Across our UK network we have specialist officers and staff dedicated to stopping those who seek to do us harm.
We work closely with MI5 and others to develop intelligence, and with the Crown Prosecution Service to put compelling evidence before the courts.
Whether investigating a highly sophisticated international plot, or a lone individual preparing an attack, our teams of professionals are ready to deploy a wide range of skills. This includes utilising expertise in surveillance, forensics, digital and financial investigations.
At any one time we can be handling hundreds of live investigations while reviewing thousands more individuals of interest.
If you have any information about suspicious activity then ACT on your instincts and find out more about how to report the threat of terrorism online.
By developing close relationships with the public and commercial organisations we work to protect our communities and infrastructure. Teams of Counter Terrorism Awareness and Security Officers work alongside colleagues from other emergency services, local authorities and businesses to help strengthen security and keep the public safe.
This work is particularly important in crowded places such as shopping centres, sports and entertainment venues.
We regularly run awareness campaigns to ensure staff employed in these areas are informed about the threat and vigilant to suspicious behaviour.
Counter Terrorism Policing also has officers based overseas to help protect the UK’s interests and citizens travelling or working abroad.
This might include border security measures or liaising with local law enforcement to share vital intelligence.
If the worst happens, we want to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible. To help us prepare for attacks, we regularly test our methods by holding exercises.
We do this in partnership with other emergency services, local and national government departments and the military. This helps us understand the way each organisation works so we can come together for a major incident and act as one.
Many exercises are held in public buildings to make them as realistic as possible.
We also run campaigns to make sure that the public are given practical advice on what to do in the rare event of an attack. Information, expert advice and materials are available on our ACT: Action Counters Terrorism website.
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