Recommendation 16

HM Government · verbatim extract Not Addressed

1. Policing provides the Government with updates on the delivery of awareness and guidance for forces on a quarterly basis. This focuses on the number of officers and staff who complete online modules on the National Security Act, foreign interference awareness, and security. 2. As noted to the Committee, the Foreign Interference module and operational security modules, which were launched in July 2024, are currently being reviewed and updated, and revised versions are expected to be issued later in 2025. These modules will continue to highlight areas of potential foreign interference and ask officers and staff, including 999 call handlers, to raise any case which may include foreign interference to specialists for assessment. In addition to the online learning, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) delivers face-to-face briefings and provides bespoke support for key groups in forces across England and Wales. 3. This training is mandatory for all CTP officers as they are responsible for investigating state threat incidents. CTP notes the Committee’s recommendation that making the modules mandatory across policing is kept under consideration and CTP will keep this under review and continue to engage with wider policing on this important issue. 4. At present, the Government considers the current approach to be proportionate. Our response is designed to be adaptable and threat-led, ensuring that officers most likely to encounter TNR-related activity are equipped with the necessary tools and awareness. We remain committed to ensuring that police officers are able to identify and respond to early warning signs of state-directed activity.