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Counter Terrorism Security Advisers

Since 2002, NaCTSO has had as one of its primary roles the establishment, co-ordination, training and tasking of a network of CTSAs throughout the UK. This has been achieved and there are now 136 CTSAs across the UK, with most police forces having at least two CTSAs. Most CTSAs work within or alongside their force Special Branches.

• The majority of the work of the CTSAs is coordinated and directed by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), who work to the Association of Chief Police Officers as part of the Security Service’s Centre for the Protection of the National Infrastructure (CPNI)
• NaCTSO and CTSAs have recently been delegated responsibility by the Home Office for dealing with protective security for ‘Crowded Places’. This could mean areas like shopping centres, sporting stadia, pubs and bars or transport hubs.
• The core role of the CTSA is to identify and assess local critical sites within their force area that might be vulnerable to terrorist or extremist attack; then devise and develop appropriate protective security plans to minimise impact on that site and the surrounding community.
• Additionally, the CTSA will promote awareness of the terrorist threat and develop positive ongoing relationships by appropriate discussion of changes in the prevailing terrorist threat and commensurate responses.
• CTSAs will also strive to engage with other departments within the police as well as partner agencies (such as SOCA - Serious and Organised Crime Agency and HMRC - HM Revenue & Customs) to encourage a co-ordinated approach and build useful networks. They work closely with representatives of trade organisations and professional bodies to ensure Counter Terrorism protective security advice is incorporated in general crime prevention regimes.
• CTSAs have regular access to current terrorism threat assessments and related intelligence as well as other classified material. This requires that they are all appropriately vetted – above and beyond the usual checks for police officers and staff.
• CTSAs receive comprehensive specialist training in areas such as explosives and pre-cursor chemicals, pathogens and toxins, radiological sources, site and vulnerable point surveying, business continuity and disaster recovery, information and personnel security, integrated security systems, designing out vehicle borne terrorism and the threat from CBRN attack.
• CTSA costs are fully met through the Dedicated Security Post (DSP) funding mechanism for Home Office Police forces in England & Wales. The Home Office delegates the day to day management of this funding to NaCTSO.