Greater Manchester Police Counter Terrorism Unit

Date article online: 02/04/2008

Greater Manchester Police Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) has put the community at the heart of its work during its first year.

On the first anniversary of the creation of the specialist Unit (2 April) officers and staff have recognised the achievements made and have given a further commitment to prioritise work with communities.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter, head of GMP CTU, said: “It has been an incredibly busy year but we have had some significant successes. As well as five people convicted as part of terrorist investigations, we have also disrupted others from their activities.

“We have only been able to do this work with the support of communities across Greater Manchester. It is their support and information that has made a real difference to the safety and security both in Greater Manchester and nationally.

“I urge people to continue to help and to use the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789321 if they are concerned about any suspicious activity. Their information can ensure we continue to tackle terrorism and extremism.”

Since the creation of the GMP CTU, in July 2007 Omar Altimimi was sentenced to nine years for terrorist offences and Yusuf Abdullah was sentenced to three years for proceeds of crime offences. In November 2007, Abdul Rahman pleaded guilty to terror offences and was sentenced to six years in prison. And in January 2008, two men, Steven Kerr Robinson and Wayne Cook, were jailed for a total of 12 years for terrorist offences.

GMP CTU, one of four providing a national counter terrorism infrastructure, now has more than 300 officers and staff.