Staff joining new counter-terror unit

Published 6 Nov 2008 09:00 0 Comments

KEY staff are being recruited for a new counter-terrorism unit based at Theale.

But applicants do not need police training to work at the unit which will be operated by Thames Valley Police. But the bills will be met by the Government as part of the nationwide strategy to tackle extremist violence.

The specialists will be based near junction 12 of the M4 and the closing date for applciations is tomorrow (Friday).

Kate Smith, communications manager for the South East Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "The key aim of the counter-terrorism strategy is to reduce the risk we face from international terrorism so that people can go about their business freely and safely.

"The unit will be part of the national ongoing response to terrorism, in line with the Home Office counter terrorism strategy, known as Contest.

"It will provide specialist support to police forces across the South East, dealing with the four elements of the Government's Contest strategy: Protect, Prepare, Pursue, Prevent.

"The aim is to help ensure that the police service in the UK is better equipped to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents and to investigate and prosecute those involved."

Ms Smith added: "The aim of the regional counter terrorism units (CTUs) is to create a more co-ordinated response to terrorism across the country."

Similar units have already been introduced in the North East, North West, Midlands and London.

The South East unit will be led by Thames Valley Police, working with the Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent forces, and should be operational by next April.

The first wave of posts being advertised in The Chronicle include a head of forensics at around £44,000-a-year, analysts at £28,000, researchers at £22,000 and indexers at £18,000.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 06 Nov 08

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