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| Counter Terrorism Policing North West | |
|---|---|
| Name | Counter Terrorism Policing North West |
| Formation | 2010s |
| Jurisdiction | North West England |
| Headquarters | Manchester |
| Parent organisation | National Counter Terrorism Policing Network |
| Region served | Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside |
Counter Terrorism Policing North West is a regional counter-terrorism coordination unit covering North West England, operating within the National Counter Terrorism Policing Network and linked to the Metropolitan Police Service, MI5, Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service, National Crime Agency, and local police forces such as Greater Manchester Police, Merseyside Police, Lancashire Constabulary, Cheshire Constabulary, and Cumbria Constabulary. It provides strategic direction, operational support, and specialist capabilities for responses to threats related to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Irish Republican Army, Provisional IRA, Al-Qaeda, Neo-Nazi, and other ideologically motivated actors, while liaising with regional bodies including the Manchester City Council, Liverpool City Council, Lancashire County Council, and transport authorities like Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester.
Counter Terrorism Policing North West sits within a framework that includes the Counter Terrorism Command (SO15), National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters, and devolved policing structures such as the Association of Chief Police Officers legacy arrangements and current National Police Chiefs' Council. The unit responds to strategic assessments produced by MI5 and tactical intelligence from the National Crime Agency and regional Special Branch elements, coordinating with prosecutorial bodies such as the Crown Prosecution Service and judicial actors including the Old Bailey. It operates alongside emergency services like Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and health partners such as NHS England for complex incidents.
The organisation comprises specialist teams aligned to functions found across the Counter Terrorism Policing Network, including investigation units modelled on Specialist Operations structures, intelligence desks reflecting Security Service integration, hostage/negotiation interfaces similar to Metropolitan Police Specialist Firearms Command, and protective security advisers drawing on standards from Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure. Leadership includes senior officers drawn from constituent forces and is accountable to regional PCCs such as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester and national oversight by the Home Secretary. Liaison posts connect to international partners like Europol, INTERPOL, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Deutsche Bundespolizei for cross-border threats.
Key responsibilities include threat assessment influenced by reports from MI5 and strategic guidance from the National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters, covert and overt investigations using tactics seen in Operation OVERT-style inquiries, protective security for events such as Manchester Arena bombing aftermath operations, and disruption of networks linked to groups like Al-Shabaab or The Troubles-era dissidents. The unit supports prosecutions through evidence gathering for the Crown Prosecution Service and works with courts like the Crown Court to manage sensitive material under rules such as the Terrorism Act 2000 and Investigatory Powers Act 2016 frameworks. Operational priorities often reflect national threat levels assessed by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre.
Regional operations have included investigations into plots inspired by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant propaganda, countering recruitment linked to Anjem Choudary-style networks, and disruption of paramilitary activity associated with Continuity IRA or Real IRA legacies. Major inquiries have involved coordination with Operation Resolve-type cold case reviews, joint operations with the National Crime Agency on serious organised crime and terrorism convergence, and protective security deployments for high-profile events like UEFA Champions League fixtures and state visits by figures such as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom or foreign heads of state. Tactical successes have relied on intelligence sharing with the FBI and evidence obtained under warrants authorised by senior investigating officers.
The unit works closely with local authorities including Liverpool City Council and Manchester City Council, transport operators like Network Rail and Heathrow Airport Limited-aligned security planners when incidents have wider transit implications, and voluntary sector partners such as Victim Support and community organisations. International cooperation includes liaison with Europol counter-terrorism centres, bilateral arrangements with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and knowledge exchange with the Australian Federal Police. Academic collaborations have involved terrorism research centres at University of Manchester, Lancaster University, and Liverpool John Moores University to inform deradicalisation and resilience programmes.
Preventive work incorporates Channel panels operating under the Prevent strategy framework, referral mechanisms involving local health trusts like NHS England regional bodies, and education partnerships with schools governed by bodies such as the Department for Education to counter violent extremism. Engagement includes outreach to faith communities represented by institutions such as Manchester Central Mosque, Liverpool Cathedral, and civic groups including the Federation of Small Businesses and trade unions like the TUC when protecting gatherings. Vulnerability support draws on charities such as The Samaritans and rehabilitation initiatives influenced by research from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.
Training mirrors standards used by units like the Metropolitan Police Specialist Firearms Command and includes exercises with the Ministry of Defence-linked Civil Contingencies Secretariat, interoperability drills alongside NHS England major incident teams, and simulated responses informed by lessons from the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Capabilities encompass surveillance technologies compatible with legislated powers under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, protective equipment similar to that used by Counter Terrorism Command (SO15), and cyber-investigation tools in partnership with national cyber bodies such as the National Cyber Security Centre and GCHQ. Procurement and accreditation follow standards set by organisations like the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs' Council.
Category:Law enforcement in North West England