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The Special Irish Branch was formed in 1883 by the Metropolitan
Police, to deal with Irish Republican activists in London. This
extremely secret unit consisted of a handful of detectives whose
offices were located in a wooden hut on an island within Green Park,
just behind the old Scotland Yard. The unit later took on the role
of reporting to the Security Service (MI5) and quickly became recognised
as 'The Special Branch'.
Essex Special Branch was formed in 1970 when the Security Service
required an input from all provincial police forces.
Special Branch deals with any matters arising within Essex which
may involve any form of subversive activity, such as terrorism,
which may affect either life or property within Essex. The air and
seaports are specific areas where Special Branch officers operate
to ensure that those involved in internal and/or external acts of
terrorism are prevented from entering or leaving the country.
Special Branch also maintains close contacts with other police
services, both within the United Kingdom and abroad, to exchange
information on persons who are known or believed to be involved
in terrorist activity.
On the domestic front Special Branch combat public disorder by
dealing with those involved in extreme activity of any description.
Some officers are trained in armed, close protection duties and
work to protect royalty, VIPs and anyone else who could be under
threat of attack or assassination, while they are in Essex.
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