Specialist Operations
Diplomatic Protection Group
History
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has responsibility for the protection of the diplomatic community in London, under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. Prior to the formation of the Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG), protection arrangements were on an 'ad hoc' basis using volunteers, often probationers, from various districts.
An attachment was normally for three months with the same officer covering a fixed post, eight hours a day, for the entire attachment. Morale was particularly low, with many officers leaving without even completing their probation. A letter to the Commissioner and the media from an officer's wife, complaining about the appalling working conditions, led to the formation of a working party chaired by D.H. Gerrard, CBE, MC, QPM, DAC 'A' operations.
After visits to Paris, Bonn, The Hague, and Washington, the creation of a specialist group was recommended. In November 1974, the DPG was formed with the sole task of ensuring the security and protection of the diplomatic missions in Central London, to the exclusion of ordinary police duties. Initially the group was staffed by volunteers and nominated officers performing a six months attachment.
Since its formation the DPG have been involved in many significant events, including:
In August 1978 an EL AL airhostess was killed and fellow crewmembers injured in a gun and grenade attack by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine on a coach outside the Europa Hotel Mayfair. DPG officers started providing protection to visiting EL AL crews and their offices.
In March 1979 Aierey Neave MP, the shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, was killed by an INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) car bomb in the Commons' car park.
The DPG become a permanent part of the Metropolitan Police Service in 1979.
At 11.30 on the morning of Wednesday 30th April 1980 six armed men began the Iranian Embassy siege by overpowering PC Trevor Lock, a DPG officer, who was posted outside. 26 hostages were taken inside the building. The siege ended five days later when the SAS stormed the embassy. Five gunmen were fatally wounded during the operation. When an SAS soldier appeared at the window PC Lock 'rugby-tackled' Salim (the leader of the gunmen), preventing him from shooting at the soldier. Further SAS soldiers then burst into the room and shot Salim. PC Lock was hailed a hero and later awarded the George Medal for his actions. The siege was played out in the full glare of the world's media. The final drama unfolded in front of millions of TV viewers, during peak time on Bank Holiday Monday.
In June 1982 a gunman linked to the terrorist Abu Nidal, leader of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, shot and crippled Shlomo Argov, Israel's ambassador to London, in an attack outside the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane.
On the 1st September 1983 the protection services within the MPS were restructured and the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department (RDPD) was created.
During the morning of 17th April 1984, WPC Yvonne Fletcher was gunned down outside the Libyan Embassy in St James Square. WPC Fletcher was policing a small crowd demonstrating against Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi when a bullet fired from within the embassy hit her. Following an 11-day siege the occupants of the embassy were escorted to Heathrow Airport and put on an aircraft to Libya.
In February 1991, the IRA fired mortar bombs at Downing Street during a Gulf War cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister, John Major. Although one mortar landed in the garden of 10 Downing Street no one was hurt.
In July 1994 14 people were injured by a 30lb bomb at the Israeli Embassy, Kensington. One of the injured was the DPG officer posted outside the embassy. 12 hours later a second bomb struck Balfour House in Finchley, home of an Israeli charity, injuring four people.
In October 1998 General Augusto Pinochet was arrested at the request of a Spanish judge. General Pinochet was to be put on trial for alleged human rights abuses during his 17-year rule in Chile. DPG officers guarded General Pinochet for 16 months at a rented house in Surrey until his release in March 2000 after the Home Secretary Jack Straw decided against extradition.
In February 1999, a group of 79 protesters occupied the Greek Embassy, Holland Park for three days following the arrest of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan. A 15-year-old girl outside the embassy set herself on fire during the protest.
Following the landing of a hijacked plane at Stanstead Airport in Essex in February 2000, DPG rifle trained officers were deployed to assist Essex Police until the peaceful conclusion of the hijack a few days later.
In September 2000 the MI6 headquarters building was attacked with a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). The missile shattered an eighth floor window on the southern side of the building but there were no casualties.
DPG officers have provided armed security at the funerals of Diana Princess of Wales and Her Majesty The Queen Mother. In addition DPG residential protection officers have provided armed protection to many world leaders during visits to London.
The services provided by DPG continually evolve and now include Armed Response Vehicles, Tactical Protection Unit, Intelligence Unit, Physical Security Unit, Management Information Unit, Security Liaison Unit and Training & Development Unit.
Specialist Operations
