New Scotland Yard and the Greater Manchester Police Department Visit FBI New York Office

Today, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Fowler of New York’s Counterterrorism Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge (A/SAC) Lauren Anderson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Bill Priestap, Supervisory Intelligence Analyst (SIA) Albert G. Banke (all from New York’s Intelligence Division), FBI Assistant Legal Attaché (ALAT) from London Dan Morrison and other members of the FBI’s New York Office welcomed Detective Chief Superintendent of Intelligence for New Scotland Yard, Lucinda Stubbs Woollcombe, along with other detectives and members of New Scotland Yard and the Greater Manchester Police Department Counterterrorism Unit.  The representatives of New Scotland Yard and the Greater Manchester Police Department Counterterrorism Unit visited the FBI New York Field Office for briefings and discussions coordinated by Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Michael A. D‘Alonzo.  Topics of discussion included an overview of the FBI’s Intelligence Division as well as cooperation between the law enforcement agencies in both countries.  ALAT Dan Morrison and Detective Superintendant Keith Surtees of New Scotland Yard provided a briefing to FBI Counterterrorism and Joint Terrorism Task Force agents.

Detective Chief Superintendent of Intelligence for New Scotland Yard, Lucinda Stubbs Woollcombe, meeting with ASAC Bill Priestap and SIA Albert Banke (far right).  Photo credit: FBI

Superintendant Keith Surtees reviewed the relationship between the different branches of United Kingdom law enforcement (Scotland Yard, MI-5 and MI-6) and the historic transition during the last 30 years. Superintendant Surtees noted the adjustments from the period of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) conflicts and the numerous car bombings in the 1970s and 80s.  ALAT Morrison commented on the subway bombings in 2005 where he made the distinction that terrorists are “now indiscriminate, causing mass civilian casualties and seeking martyrdom.”  This requires a change of focus for both the UK law enforcement and their global partners including the FBI.  Morrison also discussed the CCTV camera system in Britain and its usefulness in preventing and solving terrorism and other crimes.

Detective Chief Superintendent Woollcombe welcomed the direct interaction with the FBI in New York, “Our relationship with the FBI is longstanding as we work together on countless cases all with the goal of keeping our countries safe.  These visits only go to improve information and intelligence sharing on our joint efforts.  I look forward to continued cooperation and coordination between our agencies in our common goal to protect our citizens.

SAC Fowler said, “Meeting with our partners from London improves cooperation between our organizations on a wide variety of issues. Many of our investigations focused on terrorism have an international nexus, and the best way to deter such activity is to work together with our partners from foreign nations to neutralize threats to our societies.  We have a long established relationship with our partners at New Scotland Yard and the Greater Manchester Police Department and we will continue to work together to ensure the security of our countries and protection of our citizens.”

ALAT Dan Morrison and Detective Superintendant Keith Surtees Photo credit: FBI	ALAT Dan Morrison,  Detective Superintendant Keith Surtees and Counterterrorism Supervisory Special Agent Michael A. D’Alonzo Photo credit: FBI

A/SAC Anderson added, “I thought it was an excellent mutual exchange with Detective Chief Superintendent Woollcombe.  I know she enjoyed meeting with us and took away some very useful information.  We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with everyone at New Scotland Yard as we move forward.” 

ALAT Morrison stated, “We have an excellent relationship with our law enforcement and intelligence agency partners in the United Kingdom and welcomed this opportunity to combine our teams in discussion of issues that affect both our countries and our citizens collectively.  We look forward to strengthening and maintaining a collaborative relationship with our fellow law enforcement partners so that we may continue to fulfill our mutual objectives in safeguarding the infrastructure of our nations and eradicating threats from individuals and or groups that wish to do us harm.”

SSA D‘Alonzo noted, “The globalization of jihad and terrorist groups has made it absolutely vital that we all keep our intelligence as up to the moment and accurate as possible. That would be impossible without the constant coordination and assistance of our allies. This relationship with UK intelligence services is vital.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) Joseph Demarest added to the above statements by saying, “We partner every day on all types of national security and criminal matters.  These visits will help to fortify our relationships with international intelligence and law entities who share our common goal of protecting both of our nation’s most valuable resources.”