Undercover policing review
Part of: Police ethics and accountability
In our June 2013 report A review of progress made against the recommendations in HMIC’s 2012 report on the national police units which provide intelligence on criminality associated with protest, we noted that:
As a result of the HMIC 2012 report, there is now much tighter governance of domestic extremism undercover policing. But this is only a small part of police undercover activity. Most undercover work is aimed at serious organised crime, major crime or counter terrorism.
We therefore believe that further inspection work is necessary to examine all police undercover work (including foundation undercover deployments). This would help reassure ministers and the public that the tactic is being used in a lawful, proportionate and ethical way.
In late June we received a formal commission from the Home Secretary.
Get the report
An inspection of undercover policing in England and Wales
Get the terms of reference
Read the terms of reference for this review
Please note: In July 2017 HMIC took on responsibility for fire & rescue service inspections and was renamed HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). Inspections carried out before July 2017 may continue to refer to HMIC.