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This page contains press release 81/01, which discusses a move by the MPA to put the fight against terrorism at the top of police priorities.
Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).
See the MOPC website for further information.
Counter-terrorism set to be a top London policing priority
81/01
26 October 2001
A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority today agreed that they would want to see the fight against terrorism as one of the top policing priorities for the Metropolitan Police Service in the year 2002/2003.
The priority to prevent, deter, disrupt and detect terrorist offences has emerged as a major priority in consequence of heightened anti-terrorist preparedness following the terrorist attacks on the United States. It is recognised that there is a significantly increased risk to London from potential terrorist activities which the MPA is committed to viewing in the long term.
Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, said:
"This priority aims to increase reassurance to the public, develop further initiatives to disrupt and deter terrorism and ensure that our response to possible incidents will ensure successful prosecutions.
"I also want to assure Londoners that normal policing duties to tackle crime, such as combating street violence, disrupting the supply of illegal drugs and tackling youth offending, will remain essential policing priorities. While not underestimating the possible impact of terrorism to disrupt the capital, it is still business as usual to protect Londoners from crimes that affect their daily lives."
It was decided when proposing the 2002/03 priorities that there should be a smaller number than for the previous year (when 33 were set) in order for the Metropolitan Police Service to focus on the key issues of concern. In consequence four priorities are being worked on for formal approval at a future MPA meeting. They are:
- to increase security to the capital;
- to create safer communities for Londoners;
- to improve the police response to vulnerable victims; and
- to tackle youth offending.
Sustained police activities, such as investigating homicide, have not been included this time because the MPS performs many 'business as usual' activities; not being prioritised does not indicate that the activity will diminish in importance.
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