Counter-terrorism forces are to receive a further £4 million over the course of 2018 to cover the cost of last September’s Parsons Green terror attack.
The funding follows a previously announced £24 million contribution in response to high profile attacks in London and Manchester last year.
In September 2017 a botched improvised explosive devise partially detonated on a district line near Parsons Green Underground Station, injuring 30 passengers. Crucially, the incident – which has since been linked to Islamic extremism – was one of five terrorist attacks to take place during 2017.
Nick Hurd, the Minister for Policing, announced the additional capital as the police funding settlement for 2018/19 was debated in Parliament,
“The tragedy of five terrorist attacks in 2017 has sadly reinforced the threat we face from terrorism so it is right that we are increasing funding for counter-terrorism policing both this year and next,” said the Minister.
“In September we announced £24 million of new money this year going to forces across the country to meet the costs relating to the tragic terror attacks.
“I am also pleased to confirm that the Government has agreed to provide a further £4 million this year to meet the costs arising from the attack at Parsons Green.”
Central government has recently bolstered its counter-terrorism budget for the next year by £50 million, bringing the total to £757 million. It’s yet another indication of the unprecedented terror threat Britons now face.
Previously, the government pledged to boost counter-terrorism spending by 30% over a five year period, from £11.7 billion to £15.1 billion. £144 million has also been allocated to uplift armed policing capabilities nationwide and fund a further 1,900 officers – filling the ranks of the UK’s security and intelligence agencies.
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