Operation Temperer

Operation Temperer was a plan devised by the United Kingdom (UK) government to deploy British Armed Forces in support of the British police forces following major terrorist attacks. The operation was a response mechanism designed to increase police numbers on the streets by replacing police officers in protective security roles with members of the armed forces, thereby allowing the police to bolster their presence in key areas and reassure the public.

Background

The existence of Operation Temperer was inadvertently revealed in 2015 when a confidential document was photographed in the hands of a senior police officer outside Downing Street. The plan was part of a broader strategy to enhance the UK's counter-terrorism posture in the wake of increasing threats, particularly from Islamic extremism. It was intended to be implemented in the event of a severe terrorist threat, with the decision to activate the operation resting with the Prime Minister, upon recommendation from the Home Secretary and senior security officials.

Activation

Operation Temperer was first activated in May 2017, following the Manchester Arena bombing, an Islamist terrorist attack that occurred at the end of a concert by American singer Ariana Grande. The attack resulted in 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries, prompting the UK government to raise the national threat level to "critical," indicating that a further attack could be imminent. In response, up to 3,800 soldiers were deployed across the country to guard key sites, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and foreign embassies in London.

Controversy and Criticism

The activation of Operation Temperer sparked a debate about the militarization of the UK's public spaces and the implications for civil liberties. Critics argued that the presence of armed soldiers on the streets could exacerbate public fear rather than alleviate it. There were also concerns about the strain on military resources and the potential impact on the armed forces' readiness for other commitments.

Supporters of the operation, however, contended that it was a necessary and proportionate response to an unprecedented level of threat, emphasizing that the primary goal was to free up police resources and enhance public safety.

Deactivation and Legacy

Operation Temperer was deactivated a few days after its first activation, as the threat level was lowered back to "severe." The operation was officially replaced in 2019 by a new framework known as "Operation Temperer Mark 2," which aimed to provide a more flexible and scalable response to terrorist threats, involving not just the deployment of military personnel but also enhanced cooperation between police and other emergency services.

See Also

• Counter-terrorism in the United Kingdom
• Terrorism in the United Kingdom
• UK military operations