Police Community Support Officers

Why Counter Terrorism PCSOs?

PCSOs walking on a patrol

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is at the forefront of the national and international fight against terrorism. Our officers pursue, prevent & prosecute terrorists worldwide. The MPS is responsible for policing an area which contains the UK’s largest proportion of iconic sites, crowded places, Governmental buildings and multi-national corporations. Some of the key locations policed by the MPS include: Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster, Whitehall, New Scotland Yard, the London Eye, Camden Market, the West End and Canary Warf.

The role of any officer from the MPS includes reassuring, supporting and protecting our communities from the threat posed by terrorism. This includes providing a highly visible policing presence for those who live and work in and travel through London.

What are Counter Terrorism PCSOs?

Counter Terrorism Police Community Support Officers (CT PCSOs) provide reassurance within the capital. As well as being an integral part of Safer Neighbourhoods their role is crucial to the security and safety of central London. They provide a 24/7 visible policing presence to reassure our local communities, liaise with members of security businesses and gather intelligence on any suspicious activity and/or hostile reconnaissance. They receive enhanced training in this role, teaching them how to gather and record vital information challenge and thoroughly investigate any suspicious activity.

How we work

Together with our partners we will:

  • Provide a familiar, visible and accessible uniformed presence at identified vulnerable sites throughout London 24/7. Listen and talk to the public, staff and local businesses and communities to gather intelligence, reassure those that are concerned and challenge those whose behaviour causes concern.
  • Work with other policing agencies to provide the robust policing style that protects key parts of London against terrorism. Use counter-terrorism powers proportionately to protect our communities.
  • Through regular and specialist training ensure all our officers have the most up to date techniques and awareness to challenge the ever-changing threat from terrorist groups.
  • Be accountable to you for our actions.

The role of PCSOs in Counter Terrorism

  • PCSOs play a crucial role in counter-terrorism.
  • In certain circumstances they can stop and search vehicles.
  • In certain circumstances a PCSO can search anything carried by a pedestrian.
  • Following the Haymarket and Glasgow Airport incidents (June 07) PCSOs quadrupled the number of stops they conducted.

What are we doing?

  • Providing a reassuring presence when and where our communities need it most. Working with our partners to reduce the opportunities for terrorist groups.
  • Provide a safe environment for people to enjoy London.
  • Working in partnership with other agencies to ensure all intelligence is gathered and shared.
  • Working with other agencies to prevent and deter hostile reconnaissance around vulnerable sites.
  • Carrying out patrols to identify and deter suspicious activity.
  • Undertaking targeted counter-terrorism patrols to protect high profile events and the night time economy of London.

Roles and Responsibilites - Stop and Search

The purpose of the search is to discover articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism. No grounds are required for suspecting the presence of such articles.

A PCSO should do the following:

  • Identify themselves by name or warrant number.
  • Explain to the person stopped that that they are being stopped as part of the MPS operation to reduce the risk of TERRORISM in London.
  • Explain if there was any form of behaviour which brought the person stopped to the attention of the PCSO beforehand and the power being used.
  • Reassure the individual that the stop is a routine part of counter-terrorist policing and it is a preventative power proven to help make London safe from a terrorist attack.
  • Complete a record of the stop and search and provide the person stopped with a copy of it

PCSO powers under the Terrorism Act - Stop and Search

Whilst in uniform, accompanied and under the guidance of a Constable a PCSO has the following powers to combat terrorism:

  • To stop and search vehicles.
  • To search anything in or on a vehicle or anything carried by the driver or any passenger of a vehicle.
  • To search anything carried by by a pedestrian.
  • To seize and retain any article(s) discovered in the course of a search carried out by the PCSO or constable under these provisions.

PCSO powers under the Terrorism Act - Cordons

  • These powers are designated for a PCSO to support a Constable in times of a terrorist threat, enabling chief officers to deploy Constables for duties that require their full expertise and powers in such times.
  • The power would be used to preserve the scene and its surroundings for the meticulous search for evidence which always follows in the wake of a terrorist incident or before a suspect device goes off in order to gather evidence and prevent injury.
  • Order a person in a cordoned area to leave it immediately.
  • Order a person immediately to leave premises which are wholly or partly in or adjacent to a cordoned area.
  • Order the driver or person in charge of a vehicle in a cordoned area to move it from the area immediately.
  • Arrange for the removal of a vehicle from a cordoned area.
  • Arrange for the movement of a vehicle within a cordoned area.
  • Prohibit or restrict access to a cordoned area by pedestrians or vehicles.

PCSO