Office for Security and Counter Terrorism
From SR
Roles
The Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) leads the work on counter-terrorism in the UK, working closely with the police and security services.
Responsibilities:
- Exercising the UK's response to a terrorist incident
- Developing legislation on terrorism here and overseas
- Providing security measures and protection packages for public figures
- Ensuring that the UK’s critical national infrastructure is protected from attack (including electronic attack)
- Ensuring the UK is prepared to deal with a chemical, biological, or nuclear release
- Liaising with government and emergency services during terrorist incidents or counter-terrorism operations
The OSCT also oversee the administration of:
- The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)
- The Security Service Acts 1989 and 1996
- Home Office-related elements of the Intelligence Services Act 1994
History
The attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001 changed operataions,requiring the range of partners and stakeholders worked with to expand, in order to draw in emergency services, local and regional government authorities, and international partners.
Since then, the OSCT have also endeavoured to make more information available to the public, while at the same time protecting national security.
Reporting Hierarchy
The OSCT report to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Minister of State for the Home Office Tony McNulty.
