Policing receives £15m to curb terror threat

In a bid to prevent attacks against the UK, the government is stepping up the fight against terrorism by providing £15 million to 'special branch' anti-terrorist police units.

The Metropolitan Police's specialist counter terrorism unit will receive £12 million and the remaining £3 million will be used to strengthen regional co-operation between anti-terrorist units.

Attending an emergency Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Brussels today, Home Secretary David Blunkett said the additional funding would "significantly increase the surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities of special branch to disrupt and prevent potential terrorist attacks".

The Home Secretary said: "The security service and police service are at the frontline of our efforts to counter threats from terrorism at the early stages. They do difficult and painstaking work to protect us from people engaged in long-term, sophisticated planning, using every means of science and technology to evade surveillance and detection.

"The money I am announcing today will ensure that special branches across the UK can grow even further, boosting their ability to gather intelligence and disrupt terrorists.

"The tragic events in Madrid last week illustrate more than ever the need for us to work closely with all our partners at home and abroad to prevent extremist activity. It is only through strengthening our ability to gather and share intelligence that we will meet our responsibilities to protect the public from national security threats."

Mr Blunkett also said the Home Office would be proposing a series of practical measures to its EU partners that would make a "real and immediate difference" to the ability to combat terrorism across Europe.

Last month the government allocated £3 million to enhance special branch policing throughout the UK and announced proposals to boost security services by increasing staff numbers by around a half.

The increased number of special branch officers will provide support to a new national network of special branch intelligence cells, working throughout the UK.

(SP)