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Change to
international terrorism threat level
The
International terrorism threat level was lowered from severe to
substantial on Tuesday 20 July. The decision was taken following an
assessment of the latest intelligence by the Joint Terrorism Analysis
Centre. While the
threat to the Despite the
change there is no intention to alter policing procedures and
practices. Operation Pegasus, which replaces Operation Alert, and the
counter terrorism work undertaken by all L Area staff remain vital in
tackling the ongoing threat of a terrorist attack against the rail
network. It has also
been stressed that the move to downgrade is under constant review, and as
the Changes to counter
terrorism strategy
From Monday
27 July, BTP’s counter terrorism strategy is changing as Operation Pegasus
takes over from Operation Alert. Operation
Pegasus is BTP’s Counter Terrorism Strategy and sets out a revised patrol
strategy and other tactics formerly included in Operation Alert. But
it also includes a great deal more and has been drawn up to align BTP’s
activity with the Government’s long term CT strategy, known as
“CONTEST”. L Area
Chief Inspector Operations Ray Shields said: “Officers will be fully
briefed on the changes as part of the normal tasking
process. “This is
essentially a change of emphasis, with CT activity being fully integrated
into all police activity rather than it being treated as a separate
operation. This gives us more flexibility about when and where
deployments are made. “Having
said that, there is still a national framework and Pegasus includes a list
of Standing Requirements.” Under
Pegasus, Neighbourhood Policing Teams and local officers have an enhanced
role in building links with communities, gathering community intelligence
and so helping to disrupt terrorists who may be preparing
attacks. Pegasus
emphasises positive patrol activity, with officers being CT aware in
everything they are doing. The Standing Requirements included in the
strategy cover the availability of levels of command and specialist
resources, such as search teams, 24 hours a
day. Powers
given by Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 remain one strand of BTP’s
counter terrorism tactics. “It is
important that officers make sure they are fully briefed on the latest
Section 44 guidance and the criteria for when the power should be used,”
said CI Shields. “The
quality of stops is an important element and each one is an opportunity to
engage with and reassure the public.” Drug dealer
jailed after random search
A
man who was subject to a random Section 44 search has been sentenced to 15
months in a young offenders’ institution for supplying class A drugs after
appearing at Southwark Crown Court on 9 July. Qazim
Lamaj (20), of Speedwell Close, When in
custody it was discovered Lamaj had almost £4,500 in cash on him and a
search of his home address in Despite
claiming the drugs were all for personal use and the cash was a loan from
his cousin, Lamaj was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to
supply. Detective
Sergeant Ant Jones, based in CID, said: “The drugs found on arrest were
compared with those at the address and were found to be cut with exactly
the same chemicals. His phone records also showed evidence of dealing and
he changed his plea to guilty on the day of the
trial.” Complementary
health treatments for BTP staff for £1 a
week
The
Transport Benevolent Fund (TBF) provides financial reimbursement for
complementary health treatments to its members for £1 a
week. Anyone who
works for BTP is eligible to join the TBF, which is not a health insurance
service but a charity set up during World War One to help transport
workers through financial hardship. It costs £1
per week to join which then allows you to claim back amounts you spend on
complementary therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractic treatment,
physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, reflexology, Chinese medicine,
aromatherapy and chiropody. In most cases there is no fixed limit on the
amount you can claim. It also
provides financial help for things such as loan of medical equipment,
legal advice, hardship grants and prescription season
tickets. The TBF
does not cover anything that is standard in regular health insurance, it
is for complementary treatments only. The £1 a
week covers the member, their husband, wife or partner, any dependent
children and can be deducted directly from your payroll. To find out more
and request a brochure, go to www.tbf.org.uk NST
officer goes back to school
PC Ian
Starr has become a hit at school fetes thanks to his motorbike. As a way
of building bridges with the community, the Western Sector Liason Officer
went to his first event at St Peter’s Primary School in Chippenham Mews at
the start of July. He said: “I
may be an NST officer but it doesn’t mean I can’t get involved with the
community and work closely with our NPT
colleagues “It was
fantastic meeting all the kids and parents, and the teachers took great
pleasure sitting on the motorbike and having their photos taken. This was
the first time in 25 years I had been to a school and not been called in
to the headmasters office!” Ian has
already been asked back to the next fete later in the year. Use another route
during Changing of the Guard
Officers
and staff driving BTP vehicles are reminded not to use the Mall in Central
London between 11.15am and 12.15pm each day during the Changing of the
Guard at This is due
to large numbers of the public using the Mall at this time, the movement
of the guards and potential security
implications. The
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has advised that any vehicles attempting
to use the Mall between these times will not be permitted
access.
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