City squad to tackle terrorism.

Byline: By NICK COLIGAN Political Reporter

A SPECIAL unit to deal with the threat of terrorist attacks is being set up in Liverpool.

City leaders have been handed pounds 400,000 by the government to establish the eight-man squad which will work across Merseyside.

Its job will be to develop plans to prevent an emergency, control its effects and recover from it.

Officers will explain to residents what to do if something happens, how they can help prevent it and how they will be protected in the event of an emergency.

The new unit will also have access to the fire service's emergency planning vehicle and radiation monitoring system.

Liverpool is not thought to be a major terrorist target.

But city leaders are aware the 800th birthday celebrations in 2007 and Capital of Culture the following year will attract the eyes of the world. Until this year, all five Merseyside councils worked with the emergency planning department of the region's fire service.

But the government's decision to quadruple the amount of cash available to Liverpool and increase their powers for dealing with emergency planning has made it possible to set up the new unit.

Cllr Paul Brant, opposition spokesman for neighbourhood management, said he hoped emergency planning would include the rehearsed evacuation of a Merseyrail underground station.

He said: "While the risk of any form of attack is low, we must ensure all necessary preparation occurs now