London police forces should merge, terror review recommends

A review carried out by Lord Harris of Haringey to review London’s ability to deal with a terror attack has urged the Home Office to consider combining the Met Police, the City of London Police and the British Transport Police (BTP). The review was ordered by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to examine and assess London’s security. Commenting on the suggestion, Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe agreed that the current set up was ‘confusing’. He said the proposed merger would result in ‘improved operational effectiveness and that's what this report is talking about: how to respond to a terrorist incident - would we respond better together? And I think we would.’ Lord Harris, who formerly chaired the Metropolitan Police Authority, said: “The quality and effectiveness of the work done by the intelligence services and the counter-terrorist police is amongst the best in the world, and if London were subject to a terrorist attack today, our emergency services response would be substantially faster than five years ago. Nevertheless, a serious terrorist attack remains highly possible and we cannot be complacent. London needs to become a city where security and resilience is designed in and is part of the city’s fabric, and where everyone who lives and works here sees security and resilience as their responsibility just as much as it is for the emergency services and civic authorities.” The recommendations included implementing: a London-wide pilot of technology where all phones are sent a message alerting of a major attack; increasing the number of firearms instructors so marksmen can be trained quicker; a comprehensive review of safety and security on the River Thames, commissioned by the mayor, to report by May 2017; a review of perimeter security at London City Airport - flights were disrupted last month after protesters gained access to the runway. It also suggested that the capacity of London's major trauma centres should be reviewed; Bolster mental health services to support those at risk of radicalisation; security guards and bouncers should be trained to help prepare against an attack; there should be four dedicated 24/7 Hazardous Area Response Teams and a similar number of Mass Casualty Vehicles strategically located around London; and all London schools to have a plan for how to prepare for a terrorist attack. Paul Crowther of the BTP welcomed the report but argued: "Over the past eight years, there have been a number of studies that have examined the rationale and effectiveness of a dedicated transport police force. "Each study has unequivocally concluded that there is a need for a specialist national force, which can provide 'end to end' policing and an understanding of this complex environment."