Information Centre

The GMP Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) was established in April 2007 to tackle the terrorist threat within the Greater Manchester area. It draws together existing expertise and has been boosted by additional officers and staff. The GMP CTU is one of four units that have been developed in England and Wales to create a national counter terrorism infrastructure.

The Unit will enhance GMP’s capability to protect the public from the terrorist threat and will build on the existing good work that has been taking place in the region.

The Unit 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 within GMP CTU will support forces across the region and nationally by providing specialist skills and expertise when faced with a terrorist threat. They will also work closely with neighbourhood policing teams across Greater Manchester.

GMP’s Counter Terrorism Unit includes departments responsible for:

Intelligence collection and analysis

Intelligence is gathered by both overt and covert methods. Intelligence gathered 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 include 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.

Border Security

CTU staff are deployed to Port areas within GMP to counter the terrorist threat and to maintain national security.

Counter Terrorism Security Advisors

Greater Manchester Police, together with police forces throughout the United Kingdom, is better trained and equipped than ever before to combat the threat of international and domestic terrorism. The Force, as part of the ongoing national counter terrorism strategy, has dedicated Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs) who are coordinated, trained and tasked by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), a specialist police organisation co-located with the Security Service in the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).

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, 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 0161 856 5050 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.