Counter terrorism
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The North West Counter Terrorism Unit (NW CTU) tackles the terrorist threat within the Greater Manchester area.
The Unit enhances GMP’s capability to protect the public from the terrorist threat and builds on the existing good work that has been taking place in the region.
The Unit, established in April 2007, is part of the main strand of the ACPO and Home Office plans to tackle the terrorist threat in the UK and is not linked to any immediate threat to Greater Manchester.
Officers and staff support forces across the region and nationally by providing specialist skills and expertise when faced with a terrorist threat. They also work closely with neighbourhood policing teams across Greater Manchester
The Unit includes departments responsible for:
Intelligence collection and analysis
Intelligence is gathered by both overt and covert methods. It is then assessed, evaluated, analysed and disseminated and is used to inform both Police Forces and the Security Service about threats from groups and individuals regarding national security and domestic extremism issues.
Counter Terrorism Investigations
Our investigations team includes experienced officers and police staff who utilise their skills to speak to people with information, interview witnesses and deal with suspects who have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in terrorist related offences and offences relating to domestic extremism e.g. animal rights activists. They are supported by staff with specialist skills such computer examination, financial investigation and the forensic recovery of articles and evidence.
Case Study
In July 2012, a husband and wife from Oldham who were preparing to carry out a terrorist attack in Greater Manchester were jailed. Shasta Khan was convicted of engaging in conduct in preparation
for acts of terrorism and three counts of possessing a record of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism following a trial and was jailed for 8 years. She
must serve a minimum of 4 years before being eligible for parole.
Mohammed Sajid Khan pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism and received an indeterminate sentence. He must serve a minimum of 7 years and 6 months before
being eligible for parole. Read a case study about them here.
Border Security
The Ports Unit has a responsibility for providing effective Ports & Border Control with in the Greater Manchester geographical area.
Although based at Manchester Airport, the unit is also responsible for coverage at our non-designated airports/airfields (e.g. City Airport Manchester (formerly Barton Aerodrome) and the maritime traffic that operates on the Manchester Ship Canal (MSC).
One of the responsibilities of the unit is to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, in particular Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000
The unit’s primary role is to protect the national security of the United Kingdom and to counter the threat of international and domestic terrorism, espionage, proliferation, disruption and detection of organised crime syndicates involved in people trafficking, people exploitation, importation of drugs and weapons within the port environment.
The unit works closely with other key enforcement agencies, in particular UKBA and HMRC as well as our uniform police colleagues at Manchester Airport and divisional neighbourhood policing teams across Greater Manchester.
In order to establish a more effective working relationship with the General Aviation & Maritime communities of Greater Manchester, Officers from the unit also make regular visits to the numerous Maritime Ports and Airports/airfields with in the force boundary.
Counter Terrorism Security Advisors
GMP has dedicated Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs) who are coordinated, trained and tasked by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, a specialist police organisation located within the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure.
The primary role of these advisers is to provide protective and counter terrorism security advice to support businesses and the public sector. The advice available takes into account both conventional and non-conventional terrorist techniques and the aim is to reduce vulnerability to terrorist threats. The CTSAs work closely with other police forces throughout the country, government departments and other agencies.
The public can play a key role in supporting the police. By remaining vigilant, being security minded and having good security measures in place. You can protect your business against crime and make the work of terrorists more difficult. A small investment in security measures greatly enhances the feeling of security on behalf of everyone and helps protect those around you.
For non-urgent crime prevention advice, businesses can contact their local Police Crime Reduction Officer through your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, but if you feel that your company could benefit from Counter Terrorism security advice, you can email us at CTSA@gmp.police.uk
If you consider anything to be suspicious or connected with Terrorism contact Greater Manchester Police on 999 or the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
Alternatively, a confidential on-line form can be submitted (This service is managed by the Metropolitan Police).
If it is an emergency remember to dial 999.
