Countdown to Terror

Chapter Eight

                                             Chapter 8 

The vigilante slaughter and maiming of a number of Asian men in the back of a takeaway shop in Manchester was not yet national news after several days of a media blackout, but the newshounds could not be held at bay much longer. 

It was Thursday 31st May, and Inspector Bill Lambert was in an emergency meeting of the GMP Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU). The unit established in April 2007, and was part of the main strand of the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) and Home Office plans to tackle the terrorist threat in the UK. Also present at the meeting were two Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs). The meeting was chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Henry Partridge, who was not happy. ‘Bill, you got some information from a source about a week ago. Is there any further news?’

 ‘No nothing as yet. The source is good, but his info is only hearsay at this stage as far I can see, although from what I’ve heard of this takeaway hit we’re dealing with a serious outfit, and if there is a terrorist cell operating out of Manchester with a view to a London target, then that would explain how they could react so fast and effectively. There’s loads of Asian low-life practically queuing up for protection right now!’

The Chairman turned to Shug (Shugofta Raman), a female CTSA based in the city centre. ‘Shug what’s your slant on this?’ 

Shug gathered herself. ‘You’re right; there is genuine fear out there. It was extremely fast and brutal – an execution in no uncertain terms – and no one heard them coming. It was all over in minutes and they appear to have just melted away into the night. If anyone saw anything, they sure aren’t saying.’

 ‘OK, thanks for that.’ The Assistant Chief Constable turned to Malcolm Brampton, the CTSA on his left. ‘Mal, what’s the view from the airport?’ 

Mal, a gruff Scot, replied. ‘Well, sir, much the same. Most Asians are incredulous at the audacity of the gang who did it, and many people from all ethnic groups are saying the traffickers got what they deserved, while others are expressing the view that people can’t take the law into their own hands. As regards the preacher Ibrahim Abelgadar, who has been in UK for the last six months, entering via Heathrow, there is no data to suggest he has left via Manchester Airport. Certainly not under that name, so we don’t know where he is.’ 

The Assistant Chief Constable muttered something under his breath, and no one was in any doubt that the expletive began with the letter ‘f’. ‘We don’t have a lot to go on right now, do we? I’m supposed to have detailed reports to CPNI and JTAC (Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, MI5) by five o’clock today. We’ll close it there for now, then. Ramp up the pressure on all your contacts and let me know of anything straightaway.’ 

The Security Service, often known as MI5, was the UK's national security intelligence agency. The Security Service had had a variety of names, most famously MI5, since it was established in 1909. This often led to confusion about what the Service had been called at various points in its history. The Service operated under the statutory authority of the Home Secretary, but it was not part of the Home Office. It was responsible for protecting the UK, its citizens and interests, at home and overseas, against threats to national security. SIS (formerly MI6) was the Secret Intelligence Service, overseas, located at Vauxhall Cross, London. It was responsible to the Foreign Secretary for gathering intelligence outside the UK in support of the government's security, defence, foreign and economic policies. Confusion still reigned by websites being named mi5.gov.uk and mi6.gov.uk respectively. 

MI5 had its headquarters at Thames House, a Grade II listed building at the corner of Millbank and Horseferry Road in central London. It overlooked Lambeth Bridge, a few hundred yards south of the Houses of Parliament on the north bank of the Thames. There were seven branches within the Service, each headed by a director. Two departments received a report from GMP that day, Thursday 31st May at four fifty-seven p.m.: CPNI (Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure reporting to the DDG) and JTAC (Joint Terrorism Analysis Centrereporting directly to the DDG).