Police aim for faster response to terror threats

road accidents, searches for suspects and the identification of cannabis factories. However, the drone would also provide aerial support for “preplanned and spontaneous firearms operations” in the eight-week trial and live footage of deployments.

The decision to set up the new firearms base came as the Met continues to expand its capability through the recruitment of 600 armed officers. Once completed, this will take the total number to 2,800.

The increase, which amounts to a rise of more than a third in the number of armed officers in London, was ordered before this summer’s terror attacks in the capital and Manchester. It was a response to the heightened threat since the Islamic State terror group urged its followers to inflict murder in their home countries using whatever means possible.

The need for armed officers to be available to respond rapidly was illustrated by the attacks at Westminster and London Bridge in particular, as well as those overseas such as in Barcelona.

The announcement of the new base came 100 days after the London Bridge attack when armed officers confronted and killed the three Islamist attackers within eight minutes. Disclosing the decision to set up a firearms base in Limehouse, Met Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey said the force needed new sites for its armed officers and had already built a new range at Hendon.

But the new Limehouse base would make it easier to ensure that officers were readily available to tackle both terrorist incidents and other crimes in which guns might be involved.

He added: “The reality is that when you have the sort of firearms capability we have, you have to acrredit and train people regularly. The firearms range at Hendon is up, but it’s not just that one. As we redevelop in the east of London we are looking at a similar type of capability at Limehouse.

“That’s about making sure we can keep those officers trained, accredited, and up to the standards they need to be, and available.”

Mr Mackey said the £50 million cost was a “place marker” figure and that the eventual bill could be either higher or lower. Other non-firearms officers would also be stationed at Limehouse, which will be built as part of a wider reshaping of the Met’s property portfolio under which more than 250 buildings will be disposed of and a small number of new stations developed.