Special Operations.Com
United Kingdom
London
Metropolitan Police
Anti-Terrorist
Branch
History
In 1970, a small investigation unit was founded within
the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) 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.
Between 1970 and 1997, the Anti-Terrorist Branch
investigated 1312 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.
Responsibilities
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to
investigate all acts of terrorism within the Metropolitan
Police area including economic terrorism, politically
motivated crimes, and some cases of kidnap and
extortion
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to
help with investigations in other areas of the
country. The Commander of the Anti-Terrorist Branch
is appointed by the Association of Chief Police
Officers (ACPO) as the national co-ordinator for
the investigation of acts of terrorism and cases
involving animal rights extremism
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to
take responsibility for prevention and planning
as well as running counter-terrorist exercises
for training and contingency planning purposes
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The
Counter-Terrorist Search Wing advises generally
on all aspects of specialist searches, with responsibility
for the policy, training and licensing of search
trained officers within the MPS
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to
provide explosives officers within the MPS.
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