Viewpoint: why arrests are routinely made at UK airports by ‘armed officers’

Former Special Branch officer Chris Hobbs debunks some of the rhetoric surrounding the arrest of comic writer Graham Linehan.

There has been much uninformed criticism in relation to how the arrest of Graham Linehan was carried out. Having worked at Heathrow as a Special Branch detective, arrests from flights were and I’m sure still are, routine and occur frequently. UK airports are policed almost entirely by armed officers for reasons which should be obvious.

We may learn, at some stage in the future, what brought this arrest about. It could be that the case officer discovered that Graham was on the flight and contacted Heathrow directly, asking them to make the arrest. We still don’t know which force was/is responsible for the investigation.

It could be that Graham was, as the result of the allegations, shown as wanted/missing on the Police National Computer having been placed there by an investigating officer. Thanks to a border control system originally known as ‘e-borders’ details of those on flight manifests which are due to leave or arrive in the UK are ‘bounced’ off various databases/watchlists including the Police National Computer. Those of interest, including those who are wanted by police are ‘flagged’ to National Border Targeting Centre (NBTC) officers who then notify the relevant force/agency.

The unit began life as the Joint Border Operations Centre (JBOC) and was based near Heathrow before it was rebranded and re-located to Manchester. The technology was a massive step forward in terms of keeping our borders safe but, to state the obvious, is totally ineffective against those arriving illicitly via rubber dingeys.

Why five armed officers?

So, however Graham came to notice, the task of arresting him would, as is routine, be allocated to armed airport officers. Passengers would be asked to remain in their seats as the aircraft comes ‘on stand’ to allow officers to board and make the arrest.

If the suspect is compliant then five officers may look excessive, however there is no guarantee that will be the case. Whilst the booking would have been checked and will have shown him to be travelling alone, it cannot be assumed that this is the actually the case. The suspect could have one or several travelling companions who have separate bookings and could create a problematic issue as officers attempt to make an arrest.

Even if the suspect is actually travelling alone, other passengers could object and obstruct officers. Finally, the suspect him or herself could violently resist and extracting a combative individual from the narrow confines of an aircraft is no easy task hence specific training given to airport officers.

The well-publicised incident at Manchester Airport where armed officers were injured albeit in the terminal building rather than on the plane, demonstrates how quickly a situation can escalate.

Inevitably, social media began to reverberate with stories of ill-treatment including a strip search. In fact, Graham’s own version of events on his Sub-Stack account suggests that his treatment was civilised and there was no suggestion of a strip search. His becoming unwell was promptly tended to by means of a trip to hospital.

Unanswered questions

What was slightly puzzling was the interview in respect of the allegations, which appears to have taken place at Heathrow Police Station. Normally the suspect, now a prisoner, would be collected by officers from the station investigating but it could be that because of the nature of the allegation, a local officer carried out the preliminary interview or an investigating officer travelled to Heathrow. It may have been envisaged that Graham being bailed was always going to be the likely outcome pending a final decision as to a charge or NFA.

Also unknown is the role that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) may have played in the immediate aftermath of the investigation commencing. Officers are only too well aware of the nightmare that surrounds allegations which are related to malicious communication or ‘hurty words’ thus the luckless investigating officer or his/her supervisor may have sought advice from the CPS at this early stage.

Consequences

In any event, whilst concern in relation to the arrest extends well beyond those on the far right, the fact is that the incident has already become part of the folklore which includes fake and distorted news.

Once again, Met officers, already affected by cuts and unwelcome reorganisation, find themselves in the eye of a storm which will accelerate collapsing moral.

Interestingly, there is another demonstration on Saturday where around a thousand protesters will ignore the fact that Palestine Action has been proscribed. Their platform will include the issue of ‘free speech’ and their freedom to express support for Palestine Action if they so wish. Perhaps they will be joined by those who have expressed ‘free speech’ concerns over Grahams’s treatment.

The ‘free speech’ issue will probably be a factor during the main Palestine national march this Saturday when the ‘please Miss’ syndrome will rear its head again; this involves those from both sides rushing up to officers and complaining about placards and chants of their rivals.

 

Category: Online offencesOps