ARMED policing teams were dispatched to the cenotaph in Swindon on Tuesday following concerns about terrorism during Remembrance Day services.

Following intelligence picked up nationally regarding an increased threat of terrorist attacks, firearms officers attended services around the county as a precaution.

The Remembrance services in Swindon, Salisbury and Warminster passed without a hitch and police have reassured the public that there was no immediate threat present in any location.

Chief Constable Pat Geenty, of Wiltshire Police, said he made the decision to deploy his officers considering the national situation.

“I did have to make the decision to deploy firearms officers to the major cenotaph this year,” he said. “I did this as a matter of precaution following some national concerns around terrorism at major events for the centenary of World War One.

“As a result I asked our firearms teams to attend some of the major ceremonial events across the county, which included Swindon, Salisbury and Warminster.

“Thankfully they were not required to take any action. I am aware their presence may have caused alarm for some but it was important at events of that scale and importance.”

Last week Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) reported that Wiltshire Police has maintained capacity to respond effectively to terror threats despite ongoing cuts as the result of collaborative working.

The report into strategic policing said: “The chief constable understands his role in tackling the threat of terrorism. The force, together with the counter-terrorism network, has the capacity it needs to contribute to the national counter-terrorism effort.

“The force is linked to the regional counter-terrorism intelligence unit and works with Avon and Somerset Constabulary to share special branch capabilities. This arrangement, known as Brunel, allows counter-terrorism intelligence to be managed more efficiently and effectively than would be the case if each force were doing it separately.

“This collaboration enabled a saving of one police officer between Wiltshire [Police] and Avon and Somerset Constabulary working together through Brunel.

“Wiltshire Police has, or has access to, the necessary capability to conduct complex investigations into terrorism. It has the systems in place to manage the training of special branch officers to maintain the necessary skills to provide specific counter-terrorism capability.

“Wiltshire Police participates in daily regional meetings coordinated by the counter-terrorism intelligence unit. The meetings are attended by representatives from forces in the region who discuss threats that are developing and agree actions to respond to them.

“The force has clear arrangements to ask for assistance from the counter-terrorism network.”

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