Civil Nuclear Constabulary
The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) is the police force responsible for protecting civil nuclear licensed sites and safe-guarding nuclear materials and nuclear site operators. Where as other police forces are overseen by the Home Office the CNC is under the authority of the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA) which operates under the strategic direction of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.[1] It is currently headed by former Foreign Office terrorism expert Richard Thompson.
History
Until 1 April 2005 the CNC was known as the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary(UKAEAC) was responsible for policing at all UKAEA, BNFL, URENCO premises and powers throughout Great Britain whilst escorting movements of nuclear material.[2]
Expansion
According to The Mail on Sunday the CNC has been carrying out strategic reviews to prepare for the Civil Nuclear Constabulary's planned expansion into the Critical National Infrastructure Police. This new force will reportedly mount armed patrols around all key installations nationwide, including power stations, phone and computer networks, oil and gas pipelines, ports and airports.[3]
Notes
- ↑ CNC Website, Who are the CNC? (Accessed 11 August 2008)
- ↑ CNC Website, Who are the CNC? (Accessed 11 August 2008)
- ↑ Jason Lewis, 'Anti-terror patrols secretly stepped up at power stations', The Mail on Sunday, 10 August 2008
