NCJ Number
103342
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
In England and Wales, contingency planning, preparedness, training, experience, and cooperation among the government, police, military, and press have contributed to the success of counterterrorism activities.
Abstract
In England and Wales, 47 police forces share common resources and powers throughout the country. Police responses to terrorism reflect a common national policy, and any of the 47 police chiefs can appeal to the Home Secretary for military aid. Following approval for military aid by the Minister of Defense, highly trained troops are made available to work in close cooperation with the police. This system has worked well because it obviates uncertainties, avoids disagreements about jurisdiction, and ensures that the national interest is considered in decisionmaking. Further, contingency planning undertaken by Scotland Yard has ensured the availability of a variety of sophisticated technological resources for combating terrorism. Some of these include a central information bank on kidnapping, extortion, and similar crimes; an emergency communications system; and improved technical support, such as photographic surveillance, electronic detection, and radio tracking.