Philip Hammond MP revealed in yesterday’s 2018 Budget that Counter Terrorism Policing will receive an additional £160m in funding for 2019/2020.
The head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, said: “Today’s announcement of an extra £160million of funding is welcome news, and I am grateful to the Government for helping us strengthen our country’s defence against terrorism, domestic extremism and hostile state activity.
“Just last week I told the Home Affairs Select Committee that the number of live counter terrorism investigations has reached a record high of more than 700 and that we require a longer-term funding arrangement to continue investing in recruitment to meet the unprecedented demand, as well as deliver two huge national ICT infrastructure projects.
“While this funding increase allows us to continue these vitally important projects, I still believe we need to rethink how we fund our world-class counter terrorism network.
“I would also like to reiterate my belief that counter terrorism specialists depend on well-resourced local police forces, and that any move to improve our network will only be truly effective if my Chief Constable colleagues see similar investment in the near future.”