Laurence Taylor
Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing and Met assistant commissioner for Specialist Operations.
Since May 2025, Laurence Taylor has led UK Counter Terrorism Policing while serving as the Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner for Specialist Operations.
Last refreshed: 29 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What evidence would make UK police attribute the Fairford plot to Iran?
Timeline for Laurence Taylor
CPS charges two men over RAF Fairford
Iran Conflict 2026RAF tankers to fuel Saudi raids in Yemen
Iran Conflict 2026Background
Laurence Taylor leads UK Counter Terrorism Policing and is the Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner for Specialist Operations. He took The National counter-terrorism role in May 2025 and the permanent Metropolitan Police appointment in June 2025. The remit joins national counter-terrorism policing with The Met functions that protect national security and senior public figures.
Taylor joined Sussex Police in 1996 before holding roles in firearms, public order, criminal investigation and frontline policing. He moved to the Metropolitan Police in 2018. He also leads the National Police Chiefs' Council's aviation work and oversees police drone capabilities.
The role places Taylor at the domestic-security end of incidents with possible foreign involvement. In October 2026, Counter Terrorism Policing said it believed Iran's intelligence service was involved in the suspected RAF Fairford plot. The claim concerned an ongoing criminal case, not a conviction.
Reference
Who is Laurence Taylor in UK policing?
What is Laurence Taylor responsible for?
When did Laurence Taylor become head of Counter Terrorism Policing?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 29 October 2026. Editorial standards.