Nationwide Octacine 2 exercise tests UK’s security response capabilities

Taking place between 5 and 7 February, more than 120 members of the Armed Forces, the police service and Government simulated their joint response to a national emergency, such as a major terrorist incident.

The exercise – known as Octacine 2 – was part of the Government’s regular counter-terrorism efforts. The focus was to test the ability of the police and the military to work together in extreme circumstances, as well as familiarising personnel with different sites and participating in joint briefings.

Octacine 2 built on a previous and similar exercise and was purpose-designed to simulate the deployment of military personnel to support the Strategic Armed Policing Reserve.

Armed police officers were temporarily redeployed from their routine roles in order to respond to a major national security incident, protecting and reassuring the public in a time of heightened tension.

The exercise simulated the response that would be deployed under Operation Temperer, a contingency plan drawn up in 2015 to provide military support to the police in extreme national emergency circumstances, such as surge support in response to a major domestic terrorist attack or threat. It covers all of Great Britain and is directed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Counter-Terrorism Co-ordination Committee.

The event included a live-play exercise when the Operation Temperer National Mobilisation Co-ordination Centre was stood up and military and police service personnel were deployed to 11 sites across Great Britain.

Ever-present threats

Security Minister Dan Jarvis commented: “Exercises like Octacine 2 are vital to ensure that our Armed Forces and policing partners are able to work well together to protect the British public from ever-present threats. I’m grateful for their tireless and dedicated work in serving our country and their ongoing preparation to perform those critical roles that keep us all safe.”

Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, explained: “Our national security is the foundation for this Government’s ‘Plan for Change’. Exercises like this on are critically important in order to ensure that we can respond to threats both quickly and effectively. I would like to thank all members of our Armed Forces who are held at readiness throughout the year such that they can keep the public and country safe at a moment’s notice.”

While routine in nature, such training is crucial for the Armed Forces to support policing partners and respond effectively in the event of a major incident. Such routine exercises allow those involved to test co-ordination and teamwork with various partners, while also providing a visible presence to reassure and protect the public in instances of high-risk and national security incidents.