Counter Terrorism - Borders
CT Borders Policing was formerly known as ‘Special Branch’ and described counter terrorism officers who work at the country's borders
In our region we have a number of key ports, including London Luton Airport, London Stansted Airport, and Harwich Port.
The role has changed over the years and while still principally a covert intelligence function, the work itself is far more accountable, as with any department in policing, and far more structured on a day-to-day basis.
As with all areas of CTP, partnership working is key.
In practice, officers joining the CT function at a port will be looking to gather intelligence from passengers, potentially from staff and potentially from goods that are moved through our ports.
Underpinning the whole function is the ability to talk to people and with an enquiring mind, having regard for the fact that the majority of passengers are travelling for entirely lawful purpose and we seek to intrude as little as possible, leaving a positive impression of security delivery at the borders.
However not everyone is travelling for a lawful purpose and terrorists may travel for a variety of reasons, which is why our work at the borders is so important.
