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| London Counter Terrorism Command | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Metropolitan Police Service — Counter Terrorism Command |
| Native name | Specialist Crime and Operations — Counter Terrorism Command |
| Formed | 2006 (amalgamation 2006; predecessor units 1970s–2000s) |
| Jurisdiction | London and national counter-terrorism remit in England and Wales |
| Headquarters | New Scotland Yard, Westminster |
| Parent agency | Metropolitan Police Service |
| Chief | Commander (Counter Terrorism Command) |
| Website | Metropolitan Police Service |
London Counter Terrorism Command
London Counter Terrorism Command is the Metropolitan Police Service specialist unit responsible for investigating terrorism, preventing terrorist attacks, and coordinating counterterrorism policing in London and nationally in England and Wales. Its remit draws on policing practice from the national Security Service, prosecutorial frameworks from the Crown Prosecution Service, and legislative instruments such as the Terrorism Act 2000 and Prevent strategy. The Command operates in close partnership with agencies including MI5, MI6, the Home Office, and international bodies such as Europol and INTERPOL.
The unit traces its roots to specialist counterterrorism work in the Metropolitan Police Service during the era of the Irish Republican Army operations in the 1970s and the creation of dedicated units in response to the Balcombe Street siege and the Guildford pub bombings. During the 1980s and 1990s it evolved through coordination with the Special Branch and the Anti-Terrorist Branch (SO13), incorporating lessons from incidents including the Brighton hotel bombing and the Omagh bombing. Following the escalation of international terrorism after the September 11 attacks and the 7 July 2005 London bombings, structural reforms led to the formal amalgamation creating the current Command in 2006, influenced by reviews involving the Home Secretary, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, and parliamentary committees such as the Home Affairs Select Committee.
The Command sits within the Metropolitan Police Service beneath the Commissioner and reports to senior leaders including the Home Secretary on strategic matters. It is led by a Commander and comprises branches covering investigations, intelligence, operations, forensics, digital exploitation, and specialist units drawn from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force liaison where necessary. Regional coordination cells link to the City of London Police, Greater Manchester Police, West Midlands Police, and other territorial forces under national frameworks set by the National Police Chiefs' Council. Civilian oversight is exercised by bodies such as the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in matters of complaint and review.
The Command investigates alleged offences under statutes including the Terrorism Act 2000, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, and the Explosive Substances Act 1883 where applicable. Responsibilities include disruption of plots, arrest operations, evidence gathering for the Crown Prosecution Service, and victim liaison tied to agencies such as Victim Support. Prevention work aligns with the Prevent strategy and deradicalisation programmes involving the National Counter Terrorism Policing Network and community partners like Faith Matters and local borough councils in London. The Command also provides specialist advice on security at major events such as the London Marathon, Trooping the Colour, and state visits hosted at Buckingham Palace.
High-profile investigations have included probes following the 7 July 2005 London bombings, the 2017 Westminster attack, the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing coordination with Greater Manchester Police, the 2017 Parsons Green bombing, and the 2019 London Bridge stabbing. The Command led inquiries into plots linked to foreign conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War and Iraq War foreign fighters, worked on disruption operations tied to groups like al-Qaeda and Islamic State, and collaborated internationally on cases involving foreign fighters returning to Europe. Investigations have resulted in prosecutions at courts such as the Old Bailey and have involved forensic partnerships with the Forensic Science Service and academic collaborators at institutions like King's College London and University College London.
Personnel receive training drawn from counterterrorism curricula influenced by the National Crime Agency, military doctrine from Ministry of Defence instructors, and cyber-forensic techniques developed with partners at GCHQ and National Cyber Security Centre. Capabilities include covert surveillance, biometric analysis, explosive ordnance disposal coordination with the Royal Logistic Corps, digital evidence recovery, and tactical firearms operations in conjunction with specialist units such as the Metropolitan Police Firearms Wing (MO19). Scenario exercises routinely involve stakeholders including Transport for London, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, and international partners through forums like NATO-linked training exchanges.
The Command operates under statutory regimes including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 for surveillance authorisations, with warranting procedures involving judicial oversight by bodies such as the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office. Arrests, detention and charging follow protocols overseen by the Crown Prosecution Service and subject to scrutiny by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Parliamentary scrutiny occurs via the Home Affairs Select Committee and legislative debates in Parliament where Ministers from the Home Office answer for counterterrorism policy. Legal challenges and case law from courts including the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom have influenced practice on detention, control orders, and surveillance powers.
The Command maintains operational partnerships with domestic agencies including MI5, GCHQ, the National Crime Agency, the CPS, and local police forces such as the City of London Police and Metropolitan Police Service borough commands. International cooperation is conducted with law enforcement and intelligence services such as Europol, INTERPOL, FBI, DGSI (France), BfV (Germany), and liaison officers embedded in UK missions. Information sharing takes place within structures like the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, and through bilateral channels established after incidents like the Paris attacks (2015) and the Brussels bombings (2016) to enhance cross-border disruption and extradition processes.
Category:Metropolitan Police units Category:Counterterrorism in the United Kingdom