To All Members
22nd November 2016
Circular 69/16
INFRASTRUCTURE POLICING REVIEW
As you may have seen this morning, both The Times and Sky News (online) have reported on Downing Street plans for a merged police force that would incorporate the MDP, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and British Transport Police. The report on Sky News can be accessed via the link below.
http://news.sky.com/story/new-armed-police-to-protect-uks-infrastructure-proposed-10666999
These reports follow similar content in the Financial Times and Daily Telegraph last month.
As has been noted in previous circulars, the Federation is and has been aware that a review of ‘infrastructure policing’ has been taking place and involved a number of government departments, including the Home Office, Cabinet Office and MoD. The Federation has been in contact with the officials leading on this review, and indeed was the driving force behind a joint letter with the CNC and BTP federations requesting a meeting and briefing on the proposals under consideration.
At this point in time, the Federation has not been given any formal indication as to the Government’s preferred options. We are in touch with the MoD and officials leading on the review, and have also contact the journalists at The Times and Sky News ahead of any future interest in the proposals.
We will of course continue to keep members informed. At such a time as the Federation has a clear understanding of the Government’s preferred options, we will also be liaising with parliamentary supports as appropriate.
Eamon Keating
National Chairman