MAI-21 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Firearms officer training on Operation Plato

Recommendation

Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters and the College of Policing should ensure that all firearms officers, including firearms commanders, receive adequate training in Operation Plato, including in what such a declaration means and the demands it will place upon them. This should include instruction in the importance of zoning, communicating zoning decisions to other emergency services and joint working with those other services in the course of the response to an Operation Plato situation.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the gov.uk progress update (27 February 2026), revised and refreshed national training for Strategic Firearms Command, Cadre Tactical Firearms Commanders, and Operational Firearms Commanders has been implemented to ensure adequate training in Operation Plato. According to the gov.uk progress update (27 February 2026), this training includes instruction on zoning, communicating zoning decisions, and the demands of Operation Plato, and the work strand was closed via NPCC Governance.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, mainquiry.dac.grid.civilservice.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
03 Nov 2022

The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to implement improvements. The response committed to reviewing interoperability arrangements between emergency services and strengthening joint training and exercising protocols for major incidents.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
27 Feb 2026

New Training for Firearms Officers and Commanders - Revised and refreshed training for both strategic firearms command (SFC), cadre tactical firearms commanders (Cadre TFC) and operational firearms commanders (OFCs) has now been implemented nationally. This work strand has been closed via NPCC Governance May 2024.

Source
Official Report
14 Nov 2025

New Training for Firearms Officers and Commanders - Revised and refreshed training for both strategic firearms command (SFC), cadre tactical firearms commanders (Cadre TFC) and operational firearms commanders (OFCs) has now been implemented nationally. This work strand has been closed via NPCC Governance May 2024.

Source
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Reasonable Progress
14 Nov 2025
Cabinet Office Other

Government published formal Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboard on GOV.UK (14 November 2025) tracking all 149 recommendations with implementation progress updates.

Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboar… View Source
Reasonable Progress
03 Apr 2025
UK Parliament legislation

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent 3 April 2025. Creates two tiers: Standard Duty (200-799 capacity) and Enhanced Duty (800+). SIA will be regulator. Not yet in force -- at least 24 months before enforcement (expected April 2027).

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 View Source
Reasonable Progress
05 Jun 2023
National Police Chiefs Council Other

NPCC, Counter Terrorism Policing and College of Policing provided comprehensive updates to Sir John Saunders demonstrating "continued drive to improve collective response to terrorist incidents."

View detailed findings

Representatives working with UK Intelligence Community to address closed Volume Three recommendations. Cross-government monitoring ongoing.

NPCC Monitored Recommendation Hearings Update View Source
Source
Inquiry Manchester Arena Inquiry
Report Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response 03 Nov 2022
View Source
Responsible Bodies
College of Policing Primary
Counter Terrorism Policing
Themes & Tags
Staff training and development Incident commander communication training National emergency preparedness communication Training & Exercises Command & Control
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Last formal update 27 Feb 2026