Inside Counter Terrorism Policing
Inside Counter Terrorism Policing is a podcast from Counter Terrorism Policing that takes listeners behind the scenes of the UK’s efforts to keep the public safe from terrorism. In season two, officers and staff in roles ranging from explosives and hostile overseas locations to legal teams, intelligence, and community management share their experiences. They discuss the careers that led them into policing, including the good and the bad, and offer advice for others considering similar work. Some contributors speak publicly for the first time, with identities protected for their safety. The series also points listeners to a careers page for more information.
Episodes
Alex: from city lawyer to protecting national security
In this episode, we meet Alex – a national security lawyer who followed his gut to leave life as an unfulfilled city lawyer to start a legal career in public service with the police. Being a lawyer in policing is complex, particularly in counter terrorism where the stakes are incredibly high. We hear what it’s like to secure warrants for raids, lead polic
Grace: thwarting attacks through online intelligence
In this episode, we meet Grace, who started her civilian career in the police as a 17-year-old finance officer. She now works in a specialist unit within Counter Terrorism Policing which tackles online terrorist content and takes reports from the public. We hear how her team used intelligence from a social media user in the UK, to preve
Jenna: working with convicted terrorists in the community
Content warning: this episode contains references to death and sexual abuse which some listeners might find distressing.In our eighth episode, career detective Jenna talks about taking on one of the toughest jobs in Counter Terrorism Policing, making decisions about convicted terrorists living in our community. Jenna swapped village life for policing the st
Tom: from defusing bombs in warzones to keeping the streets of London safe
Content warning: this episode contains references to death and suicide which some listeners might find distressing. This episode introduces you to Tom, the Head of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) in London. With his job title, you might expect there’s some risk involved - but this wasn’t new to Tom, w
Clara: From hostage negotiator to hostile environments
In this episode, meet Clara, one of our brilliant International CTP Liaison Officers who is based in a hostile location overseas. After moving to London to be a dancer, a burglary inspired a complete change in direction, pirouetting from performing to policing. She’s had some fascinating roles, having worked as
New season trailer: Inside Counter Terrorism Policing
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to tackle terrorists as your day job? In the new season of Inside Counter Terrorism Policing, we take you behind the scenes of some of policing’s toughest roles revealing the untold stories of people working to keep the country safe. The good stuff, the bad stuff and what it’s really lik
Liz: Fighting fires and tackling terrorists with London Fire Brigade
In this bonus episode, our guest talks about how she followed family footsteps into the fire service, working her way up the ranks and directing major incident response. She’s now a group commander with the London Fire Brigade, overseeing around 100 fire officers who are charged with keeping London safe. She’s also a National Interagency Liaison Officer, or NILO, a role that
Cassandra: 40 years of forensics and CSI, giving a voice to those who no longer have one.
In our final episode, our guest has spent the last 40 years working in one of the most specialised areas of policing and one of the most familiar to crime drama fans. Now one of Counter Terrorism Policing’s most senior forensics experts, she's honed her skills investigating crime scenes across the UK and, as she describes it, giving voice to those who no longer have one. Her e
Heidi: secondary school teacher turned intelligence analyst
In our fourth episode, our guest spent the first part of her career in a classroom and is a great example of when career changes go right. After a successful teaching career and some advice about her job application skills from a friend, she joined counter terrorism policing in 2023. Now she works as an intelligence assessor, which means she plays a crucial role in turning in
Jess: the woman leading counter terrorism investigations
In our third episode, our guest has had an incredible career spanning almost 20 years in policing. Currently a Counter Terrorism Senior Investigating Officer working on high profile terrorism investigations and incidents, she started out in frontline policing moving through a range of truly fascinating but challenging teams and roles including fugitive units, CID, and offender management. Now
Jo: from a rural town to banning extremist groups
In our second episode, we hear from a woman who secured a degree in sports science and was headed for the physiotherapy room when she had a change of heart and direction. Applying successfully to be a police officer, she's had an interesting journey from the frontline to counter terrorism policing. Working in prisons, serious and organised crime, and intelligence, before landing in CT po
Emma: the woman recruiting our covert human sources
In our first episode you will hear from someone who can never discuss a lot of what she does. She has worked in cybercrime teams tackling sexual predators, then moved into counter terrorism surveillance. Today she works in human intelligence, working as a handler of covert sources. It’s her job to identify, recruit and train human covert sources, who she describes as the ‘unsung heroes of sto
Trailer: Inside Counter Terrorism Policing
Coming soon: Inside Counter Terrorism Policing. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to tackle terrorists as your day job? This International Women’s Day, we’re taking you behind the scenes and revealing the untold stories of women across the country working in Counter Terrorism Policing. The good stuff, the bad and their advice about working in policing. Subscribe and stay tu
