Specialist Operations management information

Report: 13
Date: 9 November 2006
By: Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report gives a summary of Specialist Operations Command performance against its objectives from April to September 2006.

A. Recommendation

That Members note the report.

B. Supporting information

1. This report provides management information on the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Specialist Operations Command. It gives commentary on performance against MPS objectives and on any issues effecting the achievement of targets.

2. Specialist Operations undertook a complete review of its performance indicators resulting in measures for 2006/7 being more outcome focused and of a higher quality. This will be built upon during 2007/8 with the development of an MPS Counter Terrorism (CT) High Level measure. This will use a ‘cross cutting’ approach to the performance measurement of CT policing.

3. On the 2 October 2006, the Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) was launched. An enhanced performance management regime has been incorporated into the design of this new command. This regime will be phased in over the next 24 months in line with wider implementation plans and as the CTC consolidates.

Counter Terrorism update

4. From an operational perspective recent months have been extremely busy largely as a result of pro-active covert operations. This has now led to a significant amount of case-file work as these investigations progress towards judicial disposal.

5. There have been two major Counter Terrorism Command operations in recent months, namely Operation OVERT and Operation OVERAMP, resulting in a large number of arrests, a considerable number of searches, the seizure of a significant quantity of exhibits and a range of charges.

August

6. A major terrorist plot to allegedly blow up aircraft in mid flight was disrupted in a joint pre-planned intelligence led operation on 9/10 August 2006.

7. A total of 25 people were arrested. 17 people have been charged with terrorism related offences. 11 of these are charged with conspiracy to murder, contrary to Section 1 (1) of Criminal Law Act 1977 and preparing acts of terrorism, contrary to Section 5 (1) of the Terrorism Act 2006; one person is charged with possessing a document containing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to S58 (1) (b) of Terrorism Act 2000; and three with failing to disclose information Contrary to Section 38B (1) (a) and (2) of Terrorism Act 2000.

8. Two men were charged with preparing an act of terrorism, and one of them further charged with firearms offences. Eight people were released without charge. The next court hearing for the majority of the defendants is at the Central Criminal Court on 27 October 2006.

September

9. Over the evening of 1 September and the early hours of 2 September 2006, fourteen men were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Of these, 11 were charged with terrorism offences and one with a firearms offence. These men remain in custody. A woman was also arrested but released without charge. The next court hearing is on 17 November 2006.

October

10. At Woolwich Crown Court on 12 October 2006, Dhiren Barot pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder people in the UK and the USA. The court heard that Barot had planned to carry out explosions at financial institutions in the USA, killing as many innocent people as possible. The principal planned attack for the UK involved packing three limousines with gas cylinders and explosives and detonating the devices in underground car parks. Barot will be sentenced at a later date. The trial continues.

C. Race and equality impact

There are no explicit equalities items addressed. The activities that form this report and the data content are arrived at with a regard to delivering Specialist Operations policing services to an equal standard for all Londoners. The performance report fully complies with equal opportunities policies and associated MPA/MPS Diversity issues. In addition, Specialist Operations are in regular contact with key community groups and use this to assist the monitoring of the impact of counter terrorist policing in London.

D. Financial implications

1. Specialist Operations collects performance data on a regular basis. However, additional effort is expended on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of performance measures included in this report.

2. Due to the events of July 2005, additional funding has been obtained from the Home Office in relation to Counter Terrorism and Security Protection.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Detective Chief Inspector Jerry Sheppard, Specialist Operations Continuous Improvement Unit, MPS

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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