Following the terrorist attacks in the UK over the last month, Operation Temperer has seen the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) deploy large numbers of officers to the streets.
The officers have been working closely with the various Home Office Police Forces that had requested support, as well as with the 1,000 military personnel who were mobilised at the same time.
Activation of Operation Temperer saw MDP officers deployed to assist eight police forces across England and Wales within the first 24 hours, increasing to 18 over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Nearly a quarter of the force’s total strength of Authorised Firearms Officers were deployed to oversee iconic sites and provide reassurance to the public in crowded places and public and major sporting events around the country.
Armed officers also provided support to British Transport Police to help keep the rail network safe, including at London transport hubs, and MDP officers were also deployed at Stansted Airport to support Essex Police.
60 public events across England and Wales saw the MDP support over the Bank Holiday, including high profile music concerts, festivals and sporting occasions including:
- Chester Races
- Radio One Big Weekend in Hull
- Tall Ships Festival at Gloucester Docks
- Iron Maiden concert at London’s O2 venue.
MDP Gold Commander Assistant Chief Constable Paul McLaughlin described the response as ‘extraordinary’. He said: “We responded exceptionally well. The professional manner and attitude of our officers and staff was first class. We provided very large numbers of officers in response to what was requested, and the transition at local level in terms of military personnel back-filling for the MDP also went very smoothly.
“Advance planning was key to the success of the MDP deployments, together with solid liaison with the National Police Co-ordination Centre and the Operations Directorate”, he added.
MDP Deputy Chief Constable Andy Adams commented: “The MOD response to Operation Temperer has been impressive and I know that the wider department will be expressing their own support for what their colleagues have been doing. I would like to take the opportunity to recognise the important role MDP officers and staff undertake through our dual focus at times like this: our role within the MOD and that of delivering a policing service which can be called upon outside of the department.
“Critical incidents always generate the ‘can do’ attitude in those who are operationally focused; people put themselves out, are prepared to endure long hours and simply want to get on with the job. For these people, public service overrides personal interests and other commitments.
“I saw many examples of that throughout this operation. There has been an enthusiastic approach to ‘getting the job done’ and I, for one, am extremely grateful for the commitment of everyone involved.”
Image: © Crown Copyright
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