Police Counter-Terrorism Units

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 14 December 2009.

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Photo of Patrick Mercer Patrick Mercer Conservative, Newark 2:30, 14 December 2009

What assessment he has made of the performance of police regional counter-terrorism units against their objectives.

Photo of David Hanson David Hanson Minister of State (Home Office) (Crime and Policing)

I receive regular assessments from Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary, which has concluded that the network of regional police counter-terrorism units and counter-terrorism intelligence units means that a well-located, operational platform now exists for targeting the top national priorities in terrorist investigations.

Photo of Patrick Mercer Patrick Mercer Conservative, Newark

I am most grateful to the Minister, but there are only four counter-terrorism units up and running, and another four counter-terrorism intelligence units, which are minor organisations. What plans do the Government have to expand those minor units into fully fledged ones?

Photo of David Hanson David Hanson Minister of State (Home Office) (Crime and Policing)

I am sure the hon. Gentleman will recognise that we have increased the number of police officers involved in counter-terrorism by 70 per cent. over the past four or five years. Only two weeks ago, I indicated that we would invest about £579 million in 2010-11 in developing the counter-terrorism network still further. We want to do that because of the serious threat, and we are committed to that £579 million for next year but must look beyond that in the comprehensive spending review. The key point is that this is a priority for Government.