Nick Andrews www.police-recruitment.co.uk
Terrorism is by far, the worst that can happen to a country beside war. As unfathomable that act of terrorism is, there is no exact definition of it. Every country has its own definition of terrorism. On international matters, this beyond tragic event can be classified based on its elements. An act or an operation can be distinguished as terrorism if first of all it is inevitably political in aims and motives. A terrorism act is also always violent and full of threat. It doesn’t choose a victim as everybody in the premises at the time of destruction is a victim. Terrorism acts aren’t just simple mass destructions. These are carefully laid-out plans and operandi that entail a psychological repercussion in the end. Take the U.S. 9/11 tragedy for example. Last but not the least, terrorism is usually conducted by an organization with an identifiable chain of command or conspiratorial cell structure (whose members wear no uniform or identifying insignia) and perpetrated by a subnational group or non-state entity.
Among all the Ministry of Defence and the country’s Law Enforcement’s concern, terrorism is on top of the list. Without the proper precautions and highly trained defence forces, it can devastate a country for a very long time. As for the UK Police, they are doing everything in their power and authority to produce counter-terrorism acts and protect the country and its citizens from dire tragedy.
To fully observe and manage the police force’s counter-terrorism project, a public body under the Home Office of the United Kingdom named Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) takes charge. The department’s primary objective is to protect the public from terrorism by working with others to develop and deliver the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy. Their main responsibilities are to:
- Support the Home Secretary and other Ministers in directing and implementing CONTEST – the government’s strategy for countering international terrorism.
- deliver aspects of this strategy directly, through legislation, guidance and funding
- set the strategic government response to terrorism-related crises through the Cabinet Office briefing rooms (COBR) mechanism
- manage the Home Secretary’s statutory relationship with the Security Service
- Manage the Olympic and Paralympic safety and security programme for the London 2012 Games.
UK is a country with a large variety of commerce, livelihood and tourism that attracts many foreigners going in and out of the country. Though international relations is always a good thing and is all about progression and making partnerships, the UK Police is extra careful for the sake of the innocent citizens’ protection. The country’s boarders, airports, seaports and government agencies are closely monitored when it comes to receiving arrivals and sending off departures. Intentions of visit, valuable brought and travelling papers are reviewed and checked in various ports before fully entering the country.
Along with these precautions, the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism also planned out various counter-terrorism acts and has worked with the Police force to train all of the officers extensively for possible terrorism encounters. The government also provides a team of experts that is responsible in guiding the innocent people whenever tragic times occur. Most of all, they are on a continuous study on improving skills, tactics and precautions through high technology and faster response basis.
