AG-6 Response Accepted

MASTS Documentation and Training Clarity

Recommendation

All documents and training relating to Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance (MASTS) should: clearly differentiate between MASTS as an operational method of supporting surveillance (and delivering a standard range of tactical options), and the additional tactical options of 'intervention' and 'interception' that MASTS trained authorised firearms officers (AFOs) can deliver; make clear that a MASTS deployment authorisation should not be taken to imply that 'intervention' or 'interception' are preauthorised or preferred tactical outcomes; note that decisive action by MASTS officers is a high-risk option and explain what factors lead to higher risks (for example, the presence of a subject inside a stationary vehicle); and make clear that the reasons for any strategic or tactical command decision in a firearms operation (including any decision to authorise such an operation) must be recorded at the time the decision is made unless it is impracticable to do so, in which case such reasons, together with a full explanation for not recording them at the time, must be recorded as soon as possible.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
Government response: Accepted. Last substantive update was May 2020. No recent public evidence of further progress.
Sources
Government response (2020-05-21): Accepted Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/response-to-the-anthony-grainger-public-inquiry/government-response-to-the-anthony-grainger-public-inquiry-accessible-version Text: 28. This recommendation is complex and has required a review of Authorised Professional Practice (APP), the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC) and associated policy and doctrine. NPCC have decided to take responsibility, given the important national implications and dependencies. 2 Progress update (2020-05-21): In Progress Implementation status based on Government Response to the Anthony Grainger Public Inquiry (May 2020). Response stated certain aspects require further work with a target of 31 July 2020
no public update confirming completion has been identified. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/response-to-the-anthony-grainger-public-inquiry/government-response-to-the-anthony-grainger-public-inquiry-accessible-version
How was this evidence gathered?
Evidence searched by baseline-data-v1 on 26 May 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The evidence above reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Response
Accepted
Accepted National Police Chiefs Council
21 May 2020

28. This recommendation is complex and has required a review of Authorised Professional Practice (APP), the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC) and associated policy and doctrine. NPCC have decided to take responsibility, given the important national implications and dependencies. 29. The College of Policing and NPCC's review of the relevant Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance (MASTS) module of the NPFTC and the guidance therein specifically addresses some of the above recommendations, but certain aspects require further work. The NPFTC was amended in 2015 to clarify that MASTS should be understood as an operational platform from which a number of options can be delivered rather than as a tactic. The outcome of decisive armed intervention (using firearms to challenge a subject) should not be taken as inevitable or pre-authorised. 30. These actions will ensure that there is a greater differentiation, and recognition of the higher risks, between the deployment of MASTS as support to surveillance and as an additional tactic of decisive armed intervention and interception. The provisional target is to complete work by 31 July 2020.

Read Full Response
Source
Inquiry Anthony Grainger Inquiry
Report The Anthony Grainger Inquiry Report into the Death of Anthony Grainger 11 Jul 2019
View Source
Responsible Bodies
National Police Chiefs Council Primary
Themes & Tags
Staff training and development Police Vetting Inconsistencies Armed Policing Masts Training Tactical Options
Recommendation age 6.9 yrs
Last formal update 2201 days ago