Reserves to become civil defence force if terrorists attack

The Government announced plans yesterday for the volunteer reserves of the armed forces to be used in support of civil authorities in response to terrorist attacks.

The Government announced plans yesterday for the volunteer reserves of the armed forces to be used in support of civil authorities in response to terrorist attacks.

The proposal was drawn up because of the 11 September attacks on America and the fear of similar action in this country prompted by Britain's backing for the "war on terrorism" and the deployment of troops in Afghanistan.

About 6,000 members of the volunteer reserves are expected to form the Reserve Reaction Force under plans outlined in the discussion document "The Role of the Reserves in Home Defence and Security".

The document concludes that Britain should not have specific military units similar to the American Department of Homeland Security. Military planners concluded that would put a further burden on the overstretched armed forces.

Geoff Hoon, the Secretary of State for Defence, said: "The Volunteer Reserves could play an important role in meeting the challenges posed following the terrorist attacks in the United States. This work sets out how military arrangements for liaising with the civil authorities could be enhanced and how best to co-ordinate military assistance to them if requested.

"We want the widest possible consideration of these proposals. The discussion paper will create an opportunity for the Reserves, their employers and other interested parties, including local authorities and emergency services, to influence our thinking."

Bernard Jenkin, the shadow Defence Secretary, said: "The UK is miles behind the US and other countries on the issue of homeland defence. The present commitments of the armed forces already outstrip resources. Will this simply add to overstretch?"

Defence sources insisted Britain already had well developed structures in place and did not need the sort of radical changes seen in America.

Mr Hoon stressed that the reaction force was simply one part of the Government's wider response to the increased terrorist threat.

"Sadly, we have a long history of terrorism in the UK. We have had to develop appropriate mechanisms. What we are doing is improving those in the light of those appalling events on September 11 in the United States," he said.

The consultation paper also envisages an enhanced role for the armed forces in civil contingency planning.

It said the 2 Signal Brigade – a predominantly Territorial Army formation – would be equipped with a radio communication system compatible with the police and civil emergency services.

It envisages that the new force would be deployed only in the "wholly exceptional" circumstances of a major terrorist attack. While such attacks are likely to be "infrequent", they are "unpredictable as to timing and location", it said.

Defence sources stressed the reservists would form only one part of the military response in the event of a terrorist attack and that the full resources of the regular forces would also be available.

Nevertheless, the announcement represents a substantial shift in the Government's thinking on the reserves after the 1998 strategic defence review recommended a big reduction in their numbers.