West Midlands counter-terror chief moved to new role as secret papers stolen
The head of West Midlands Police's counter-terror operations has moved to a new role - as secret files were stolen from an unmarked police car.
Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale has been moved from his security brief to head up the operations department at the force.
Thieves targeted the unmarked police vehicle, believed to be used by Mr Marcus Beale, and took a locked box containing secret papers from the boot.
The news came with the country is on high alert after three terrorism attacks in just three months, including the recent Manchester Arena and London Bridge attacks.
Mr Beale - a former Acting Deputy Chief Constable at Staffordshire Police - will take up the new role after the West Midlands force announced a 'reshuffle' of top officers.
Former Wolverhampton Chief Superintendent Gary Cann - now an assistant chief constable - will take over the security role overseeing the Counter Terrorism Unit.
Mr Cann also previously served as operations manager with the Brierley Hill command unit and as superintendent at Dudley Police.
West Midlands Police said the moves came following the retirement of Assistant Chief Constable Michele Larmour.
A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed inquiries into the theft continue.
The statement continued: “Following the retirement of an Assistant Chief Constable, the Chief Constable carried out a reshuffling of portfolios.
"ACC Marcus Beale has moved from security to oversee the operations department.
"ACC Gary Cann, who previously oversaw operations, has taken over the security portfolio.
"ACC Sarah Boycott has taken on local policing responsibilities and Temporary ACC Alex Murray continues to oversee crime."
In his former role, Mr Beale spent most of his time overseeing the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit which covers the entire West Midlands region, including Staffordshire and Shropshire.
The counter terrorism unit is one of the busiest in the country and has run a number of high-profile operations that have disrupted some of the most significant UK mainland terrorist plots in recent years, including the 'London Stock Exchange' plot in 2010, the foiled suicide attack plan in 2011, and the failed attack on the Dewsbury EDL in 2012.
Mr Beale joined the West Midlands force in June 2011 as an experienced Assistant Chief Constable, having served at that rank for the previous four years with Staffordshire Police and as Acting-Deputy Chief Constable.
Last year he was one of four chief officers to be told they face no further action following a lengthy corruption inquiry over the botched Kevin Nunes gangland murder case in Pattingham in 2002.
