Regular expert review of GMP Major Incident plans
Greater Manchester Police should ensure that its plans for responding to a Major Incident, including a terrorist incident, are reviewed regularly by those with the appropriate skills and experience to make meaningful improvements to each plan. This must include a regular review of the Operation Plato plan, which must include obtaining the views of those with experience of firearms policing and of performing the role of Force Duty Officer.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe 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.
Progress Timeline
The Major Incident Plan is managed by a specialist team within the Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit who have relevant training and experience. Any updates or changes are made in consultation with Subject Matter Experts who attend the quarterly Major Incident Plan Review Group. The GMP Operation Plato Marauding Terrorist Overall Plan is managed by a separate specialist team, the Firearms Policy, and Governance Unit who have relevant training and experience. GMP employs a similar approach to updates and changes to the Plato Plan as these are considered by Subject Matter Experts who attend the quarterly Operation Plato Operational Meeting.
The Major Incident Plan is managed by a specialist team within the Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit who have relevant training and experience. Any updates or changes are made in consultation with Subject Matter Experts who attend the quarterly Major Incident Plan Review Group. The GMP Operation Plato Marauding Terrorist Overall Plan is managed by a separate specialist team, the Firearms Policy, and Governance Unit who have relevant training and experience. GMP employs a similar approach to updates and changes to the Plato Plan as these are considered by Subject Matter Experts who attend the quarterly Operation Plato Operational Meeting.
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.
Government published formal Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboard on GOV.UK (14 November 2025) tracking all 149 recommendations with implementation progress updates.
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).
JESIP Joint Doctrine updated to v3.1 (April 2024) following inquiry findings on interoperability failures. Operation Plato reformed to cover all terrorist attack types, not just firearms. Emphasis extended beyond command-level to frontline responders.
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.