Special Branch is the arm of British Police forces that deals with national security matters. They acquire and develop intelligence to help protect the public from national security threats, especially terrorism and other extremist activity.

Each police force has its own Special Branch. These departments work closely with one another and with MI5, the Security Service. The officers work in plain clothes and are often armed. Although they are not part of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), they are entitled to use the prefix 'Detective' in front of their ranks.

The original Special Irish Branch of London's Metropolitan Police was formed in March 1883 to counter the then-current campaign of Fenian terrorism. The "Irish" soubriquet was later dropped as the department extended its remit to cover other threats.

See also

• Espionage
• List of intelligence agencies

External links

• Metropolitan Police - Special Branch (http://www.met.police.uk/so/special_branch.htm)
• Essex Police - Special Branch (http://www.essex.police.uk/pages/about/a_crime5.htm)
• Scottish Executive - Guidelines on Special Branch Work in the United Kingom (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/justice/sbwuk.pdf)