Page 52 - the SyI Quarterly V3 digital (1)

Institute Community
Security Community

It’s counter terrorism – but not

as we’ve known it

Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath

Head of Information, Capability and Business Engagement, NaCTSO

Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath from National Counter
Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) tells us how we can all make
a significant contribution to national security, wherever we find
ourselves, both now and in the post COVID world.

Can you help keep the UK safe from terrorism sat at your kitchen
table?

Well, yes – everyone can.

Recent events have forced all of us to rethink the way we do
business, and Counter Terrorism Policing is no exception. The
‘lockdown’ response to the coronavirus pandemic has focussed
the minds of leaders in the public and private sector on how To this extent, I’d like to think that CT Policing was ahead
their organisations could adapt to staff working from home. This of the game when it comes to partnership working with
applies to us at the NaCTSO too. commercial organisations. Our strategy has moved – not

entirely but significantly – to digital self-service, where we
As we look ahead to a return to normality – whatever that might are less dependent on being in the same place at the same
be in the post COVID-19 world – some will no doubt choose to time to deliver a great service to you.
maintain a degree of agile working.
We are still here for those who need the site visit and the
Even before the dreadful events that forced huge numbers of face-to-face contact, but much of what we offer is now
us to set up a home office, there was a trend towards a more available and easy to access, anywhere and at any time. It’s
flexible approach to working. an approach that is proving popular.

Be it work/life balance, better mobile tech, the high cost of The pandemic and its terrible toll aside, this year is set to be
commercial premises or just the dread of commuting – more a positive one for those of us in policing tasked with leading
employers and employees have opted for more choice to work the nation’s protective security effort. So far in 2020 we
from wherever suits them and the business best. have marked the second anniversary of our Action Counters
Terrorism, ACT Awareness e-Learning tool with the launch of

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