Anti-terrorism training: Pursue

The police service has a long history of pursuing terrorists as a direct result of the constant threat the UK has experienced for more than 125 years.

Special Branch was the first dedicated police department, established in London in 1883 at the request of then Home Secretary Sir William Harcourt, to protect the public from terrorism, extremism, subversion and political violence.

The most significant challenge to Special Branch has been the emergence of international terrorism on the UK mainland over the last decade.

The priority of the police service at this time has been the pursuit of terrorists to stop their attacks. 'Pursue' is one of the key strands of the Government's revised strategy to counter international terrorism, commonly referred to as Contest.