Special Branch was formed to combat the threat from bombing campaigns on the British mainland. Over time the threat has changed significantly to that which we face today and, as a result, Special Branch has crucially evolved.

The four Welsh forces have agreed to create one Special Branch for Wales: the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU). The fundamental ethos of WECTU is ‘centrally controlled - locally delivered’ to respond to the threats posed by international terrorism and domestic extremism. Driven by the Government’s Counter Terrorism Strategy known as ‘CONTEST’, the four strands Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare aim to reduce the risk from terrorism so that people can go about their business freely and with confidence. Each element of the strategy is delivered locally in our communities.

Forming part of WECTU, the Ports Policing Unit provides a permanent presence at our main port of Holyhead and, in effect, are the UK’s gatekeepers, a key task in national defences against terrorism. Holyhead Port remains a key strategic link with the Republic of Ireland and attracts a commensurate quantity of commercial and social passengers. In addition, the Ports Policing Unit is responsible for the policing of the many small airstrips and marinas across North Wales.

If you think you have seen something suspicious or you are unsure about somebody’s activities or behaviour, however insignificant it may seem at the time, call the confidential Anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321

• Counter Terrorism Security Adviser
  • North Wales Police, together with Police forces throughout the United Kingdom, is better trained and equipped than ever before to combat the threat of international and domestic terrorism. The Force, as part of the ongoing national counter terrorism strategy, has dedicated Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs) who are coordinated, trained and tasked by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), a specialist police organisation co-located with the Security Service (MI5) in the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).
    
    The primary role of these advisers is to provide protective and counter terrorism security advice to support businesses. The advice available takes into account both conventional and non-conventional terrorist techniques and the aim is to reduce vulnerability to terrorist threats. The CTSAs work closely with other Police Forces throughout the Country, Government departments and other agencies.
    
    'The public can play a key role in supporting the Police. By remaining vigilant, being security minded and having good security measures in place, you can protect your business against crime and make the work of terrorists more difficult. A small investment in security measures greatly enhances the feeling of security on behalf of everyone and helps protect those around you.'
    
    For non-urgent crime prevention advice, businesses can contact their local Police Crime Reduction Officer, but if you feel that your company could benefit from Counter Terrorism security advice, you can write to the following address:
    
    Counter Terrorism Security Adviser
    North Wales Police HQ
    Glan y Don
    Colwyn Bay
    Conwy
    LL29 8AW
    and/or make contact by email
    and/or make contact by telephone: 0845 607 1002
    The CTSAs would also like to remind you that if you consider anything to be suspicious or connected with terrorism to contact North Wales Police on 0845 607 1002
    or the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
    If it is an emergency remember to dial 999.
    
    Further useful counter terrorism weblinks are:
    http://www.nactso.gov.uk/
    http://www.cpni.gov.uk/
    http://www.mi5.gov.uk/
• Secure your Fertiliser
  • Terrorist groups around the world have for many years misused fertilisers to make explosive devices. The majority of these devices have contained ammonium nitrate based products, combined with other materials to produce explosives. Other fertilisers such as urea, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate have also been misused.
    
    Even in relatively small quantities, ammonium fertiliser-based explosives can cause a great deal of destruction. Many of the most notorious terrorist attacks of the last 15 years – from Oklahoma City to Omagh - were carried out using fertiliser-based explosive devices.
    
    If use, hold or transport fertiliser please click on www.secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk
• NaCTSO - National Counter Terrorism Security Office
  • The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) is a specialist police organisation co-located with the Security Service with the Centre for the Protection of the National Infrastructure (CPNI). NaCTSO co-ordinates a nationwide network of specialist police advisers known as Counter Terrorist Security Advisers (CTSAs), who can offer help on counter terrorism security.
    
    The main aim is to develop, promote and implement counter terrorism protective security best practice, policy and procedures in the United Kingdom. NaCTSO trains and tasks the CTSAs, who play an integral part of each Police force’s resources to combat International and Domestic terrorism. Much of their work is in partnership with other Government / non-government departments, representative bodies and industry. NaCTSO contributes to the UK government’s counter terrorism strategy (CONTEST) by supporting the Protect and Prepare strands of that strategy.
    
    NaCTSO can be contacted on;
    Tel: 0207 931 7142
    Fax: 0207 630 0143
    E-mail (none secure): nactso@btconnect.com
    or for more information, visit their website at www.nactso.gov.uk