Policing counter-terrorism forms a central strand of the 2009-2012 National Policing Plan, under which all police officers are expected to have a basic understanding of policing counter-terrorism and anti-terrorism legislation. Following European Court challenges concerning the use of terrorism stop and search powers and controversy in British courts of the legality of control orders, terrorism legislation continues to be tested in court as numerous convictions for a variety of terrorism related offences have taken place. In addition, new terrorist groups have been outlawed and the threat level was raised to 'severe' in January 2010 following the links of the Christmas Day Detroit airline bomber to UK universities. The second edition of the successful Blackstone's Counter-Terrorism Handbook has been fully updated to cover these developments and all new relevant legislation and case-law, as well as coverage of the CONTEST 2 Counter-Terrorism strategy and security planning for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The book is divided into two parts, offering readers both a helpful and informative history and context to policing counter-terrorism as well as all the relevant legislation, drawn from and linked to the government-sponsored Police National Legal Database. Part 1 of the Handbook provides readers with an operational framework and context to counter-terrorism. It also outlines the police counter-terrorism structure, the Government's CONTEST 2 strategy, and the roles and functions of key organizations (from M15 to HM Revenue & Excise). All this information is supplemented with case studies, practical scenarios and checklists, to illustrate the practical application of the legislation. Part 2 is devoted to counter-terrorism legislation itself, focussing primarily on police powers and procedures. These provisions are accompanied by explanatory notes, related case law and points to prove, ensuring that the information is easily comprehensible and digestible. Appendices featuring key legislative extracts and a comprehensive list of Proscribed Organizations make it easy for officers to locate the relevant information.

An essential resource for all patrol officers and PCSOs, this portable handbook is aimed specifically at the police and their counter-terrorism training needs.

Andrew Staniforth is an experienced counter-terrorism investigator who is responsible for designing and delivering training to counter-terrorism officers at one of the four specialist Counter Terrorism Units in the UK. He has been commended for his work on counter-terrorism training by West Yorkshire Police and has also been involved in developing national exercises to examine the preparedness of both covert and overt police counter terrorism assets.

The Police National Legal Database (PNLD) is a comprehensive legal database covering all legal information that police officers are required to know. It is housed within West Yorkshire Police Training School at Bishopsgarth in Wakefield and is the official online legal database used by the 43 police forces in England & Wales.

Professor Clive Walker is a professor of criminal justice studies at the University of Leeds. He is a specialist in terrorism, the law and police powers and is widely published on the subject.

Commander Stuart Osborne oversees the newly established Police National CT Network and is responsible for leading the operational and professional development of the CT network.

Part 1 - An Introduction to Terrorism Andrew Staniforth
1. Terrorism
2. Countering Terrorism
3. Policing Terrorism
Part 2 - Legislative and Procedural Content
4. Terrorist Activities
5. Terrorist Investigations
Appendix 1 - List of Proscribed Organisations
Appendix 2 - Profile of Proscribed Organisations
Appendix 3 - Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Code of Practice H - Detention of terrorist suspects
Appendix 4 - Terrorism Act 2000 - Code of practice for audio recording of interviews
Appendix 5 - Code of Practice for authorised officers acting under Schedule 1 to the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001
Appendix 6 - Code of practice for examining officers under the Terrorism Act 2000
Appendix 7 - Officers' Powers and Duties