Ref:17/08 February 25, 2008
ACPO Counter Terrorism Conference 2008

The challenging and dynamic nature of the terrorist threat in the UK will be the focus of the first Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) national counter terrorism conference attended by law enforcement, security agencies and partners on 26th and 27th February 2008.

The wide ranging conference agenda reflects how terrorism has become a global issue for all partners committed to tackling the threat. International and national speakers including senior government representatives, the FBI and the Australian Federal Police will address the conference. Operational and organisational learning from recent UK counter terrorism investigations and academic input on the history and psychology of terrorism will also form part of the presentations delivered during the conference.

Ken Jones, President of ACPO said:

“This is one of the most challenging times for all agencies within the UK as we face the most serious and sustained threat from international terrorism ever known. It is this change that has caused us to review our policing style to counter this threat.

“ACPO (TAM) and Police Forces across the country have been carrying out excellent work to implement an enhanced operational capacity and capability across the UK. This new UK counter terrorism policing infrastructure combined with close working partnership with agencies and our communities will help create a hostile environment for terrorist activity”.

Peter Clarke, Chair of ACPO Terrorism and Allied Matters Committee, (TAM) and Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service said:

“Through the operational and academic learning shared at this conference, we and our
Partners, will continue to ensure that counter terrorism strategies and fresh approaches evolve to meet the very real threat of terrorist activity.

“I believe that the wide breadth of the conference agenda reflects the complexities of the challenges we face; whilst the diverse international and national group of partners attending highlights the commitment and determination from us all to meet the existing and emerging threats from the global nature of terrorism”.
The conference takes place at the start of a five-week ACPO counter terrorism advertising campaign. The aim of the initiative is to encourage the public to report suspicious behaviour to the confidential Anti-Terrorist hotline number on 0800 789 321.

The radio, press advertisements and on-line advertising aims to raise awareness of some of the items and activities which may be needed by, or be of use to, terrorists. It asks the public to consider whether they may have seen any activity which may have made them suspicious.

The advertising campaign will run from Monday 25th February in London, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands.

The conference has been supported by Unisys, BT, Capgemini, Serco and organised by the ACPO Committee responsible for Terrorism and Allied Matters - ACPO TAM. ACPO TAM has the responsibility for devising and driving national counter terrorism and domestic extremism strategic policy, and reports to ACPO and the Government. Its members include ACPO officers, senior representatives of Government departments and other agencies including the Security Service.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

• Contact Lisa Vasco at ACPO Press Office on 07926 583346.

• Media representatives wishing to attend the conference must have registered their attendance with ACPO Press Office in advance of the event. Access to the conference will only be granted on production of a UK Press Card, NUJ card or employer issued photographic ID. You are also encouraged to arrive early for the briefing/conference as the on-site security process involves taking a photograph for your conference pass. Please ensure that your pass is visible at all times during the conference.

• A media briefing will take place at 8.30am on 26th February. Ken Jones and Peter Clarke will provide an update on the current UK counter terrorism policing structure and the purpose of the conference. The briefing will be on-the-record but off-camera.

• Most morning presentations taking place over the two day conference will be open to the media, however presentations after 3.15pm on Tuesday and all sessions after 12.10pm on Wednesday will be closed to the media. Recording of the conference presentations will not be permitted.

• The media are requested not to publicise the name of the conference venue.

• Visuals of the ACPO counter terrorism advertising campaign are available to view on the ACPO website, www.acpo.police.uk

• The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, coordinates the strategic policing response.

• ACPO’s 341 members are police officers of Assistant Chief Constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.