Written question asked by David Gauke (Conservative) on Friday, 6 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 January 2006. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Thursday, 4 May 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

O'Connor Report

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a national policing agency dedicated to countering terrorism and domestic extremism to address the findings in these areas of the O'Connor report.

Answer: Regional and national CT structures are already in place. The Association of Chief Police Officers' Committee on Terrorism and Allied Matters sets policy and strategic direction for counter-terrorism policing at a national level. Police counter-terrorist efforts are co-ordinated regionally and nationally through the regional intelligence cells, the work of the national co-ordinator of special branch and the national co-ordinator of terrorist investigations while ensuring that force special branches maintain the essential link to local policing and local communities. The Metropolitan Police Service has national counter-terrorism responsibilities including a number of specialist units which provide support to forces. As with other aspects of policing, these structures are kept under constant review.

Secondary information