Met counter-terrorism 'weak on intelligence'

An overhaul of the Met's anti-terrorism unit is being planned by ministers in an attempt to improve its ability to identify extremist plotters.

The reform has been prompted by concern that the London police force is better at investigating crimes than gathering intelligence about potential suspects.

The Home Office believes the problem has arisen since the creation of the Met's SO15 counter-terrorist command in 2006 in the wake of the 7July bombings. It replaced two previous Met units - one responsible for gathering intelligence and the other in charge of investigations - and ministers believe the merger has not worked fully.

Police minister Tony McNulty has held talks on the subject with senior Met officers and Home Office officials confirmed that the aim was to boost intelligence gathering.

"The feeling is that while SO15 is very good at investigations, it is not as strong as it could be on the intelligence-side of its work," said one senior source. "Discussions have been taking place and the aim is to make sure that intelligence gathering about terrorism is as effective as possible in London."

The proposed reform comes as the Met adjusts to the departure of its two most senior anti-terrorist officers, Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke.

Mr Hayman, who was criticised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission report into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and has since been hit by a row over his expenses, is taking early retirement.

Mr Clarke is standing in for Mr Hayman, but is also due to retire and ministers believe the change of leadership will provide the ideal opportunity to reshape the anti-terrorist unit.

The reform has also been prompted by the example of unified anti-terrorist units set up by some of the country's other metropolitan forces, such as West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

"There is some very effective work going on elsewhere and we don't want the Met to be behind the other big city forces," the source added. "It is about fine-tuning, but there are improvements that can be made."

The Government's aim to focus more on intelligence gathering has been highlighted by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith who warned of the need to combat a "small group of propagandists" who were fomenting terrorism.

"The use of intelligence to identify and go after the individuals concerned will become an ever more important priority for policing and the security services," she said.

Although the Met, with the help of MI5, has had considerable success in thwarting terror plots and bringing the perpetrators to justice, it has also faced criticism over alleged failures.

The most high profile was the Forest Gate incident in June 2006 in which Mohammed Abdul Kahar, 23, was shot in the shoulder by police during an anti-terror raid. He and his brother Abul Koyair, 20, were arrested but later released without charge after the raid - which was prompted by a tip-off from an informant.

Meanwhile, the Government is preparing to publish its new counterterrorism Bill on Thursday. This will contain plans to allow temporary extensions of the pre-charge detention period to 42 days.