British policing response to Tunisia attacks 'likely to be one of the largest since 7/7'

He said: “The national policing response to the attack in Tunisia is likely to be one of the largest counter terrorism deployments seen since July 2005.

"The operation currently involves over 600 officers and staff and is being coordinated from the National Counter Terrorism Policing HQ at New Scotland Yard. Because of the scale of the attack, the numbers of fatalities and the international nature of it, it is likely that several hundred counter terrorism and other police officers and staff will be working on this case for some time.

"Since Friday evening, over 380 counter terrorism and local officers have been at British airports to meet and support travellers returning from Tunisia to help identify potential witnesses. On Saturday officers met 27 flights and there will be similar levels of activity today, including taking detailed statements from many witness to support the UK coronial process.

"Officers will remain at the airports to meet more returning citizens as and when they come home.

"We have already deployed a team of 16 officers to Tunisia, including senior detectives and specialist forensic officers from New Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command, as well as family liaison officers. All were deployed within hours of the attack and will be joined by more specialist CT officers in the coming days.

"In Britain, large numbers of officers are supporting our international response to the attack. This includes 60 family liaison officers who are with relatives in the UK of those killed and injured. These highly experienced FLOs will be supporting victims and their families as part of the police investigation.

"As our inquiries continue I would like to reiterate our appeal for anyone who was in Sousse, Tunisia around the time of the attack on Friday 26 June to come forward with information or material that could help with our inquiries. We also ask for those families who require police family liaison support to contact us.

"If you were there and you may have information that could help please contact the confidential anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789321."

ENDS