Trigger Point prompts surge in counter terrorism interest

Matt Jukes has praised ITV drama Trigger Point for prompting a surge in interest in joining his teams, as they try to protect the country from extremist attacks.

The Met Assistant Commissioner revealed that there had been a 700 per cent increase in people visiting the careers site of Counter Terrorism Policing since the series went on air.

The show, which stars Vicky McClure and Adrian Lester, concerns the work of a fictional EXPO unit in the Metropolitan Police as it attempts to stop a succession of bomb plots in London.

Jukes, who took over as national head of counter-terrorism policing last year, said there had been as many as 1,500 visitors to the counter-terrorism careers website on days when episodes have been broadcast and hailed the show for stimulating interest in joining the fight against the danger posed by extremists.

He said: “Even the most meticulous crime drama doesn’t capture exactly what it’s like to be a police officer, but these shows do give viewers an insight into the world of policing. If they inspire people to do a little bit of research into what it might be like to work with us, that’s a great thing. The teamwork, the passion, the complex challenges – and of course, the mission of keeping the public safe does closely mirror real-life. That’s what we do every single day, not just once a week on a Sunday night.”