Violence Suppression Unit
High risk policing unit of the Metropolitan Police Service / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Violence Suppression Unit (VSU)[1] is a type of unit of the Frontline Policing Directorate, formerly known as Territorial Policing, which is part of London's Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Its role is to combat street crime, violence, and knife offences, as well as track down high-harm fugitives.[2]
Metropolitan Police Service Violence Suppression Unit | |
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Abbreviation | VSU |
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
Map of current operating area | |
General nature | |
Operational structure | |
Parent agency | Metropolitan Police Service |
The VSUs were created in 2020 to amalgamate the previous Borough Crime Squads under one umbrella.[3] The introduction of the units has led to more than 6,000 arrests, over 1,000 weapons confiscated, and more than £1 million seized since inception.[2]
Each of the 12 Basic Command Units (BCUs) has a VSU which patrols in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles as well as in marked police vans or carriers. Each VSU has approximately 50 officers, predominantly police constables despite being a part of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).[3]
Officers attached to a VSU tend to be experienced officers who are trained in police driving, public order and both the covert and overt carriage of tasers.[3]