Answers from the London Mayor confirm that the Metropolitan Police regularly monitor people who are not suspected of committing any offence. Images and supporting information are kept in anticipation that certain individuals might be involved in protests in the future. This can include filming civil rights monitors who are themselves monitoring the actions of the police.
Jenny Jones said:
"The Metropolitan Police have spent huge amounts of time and money monitoring innocent people, whilst failing to catch serial rapists because they claim to be over stretched. The police should stop chasing innocent people because they might commit a crime and put that energy into investigating the claims of women who have experienced sexual assault."
"I find it surprising that law abiding Londoners may end up along side known murderers and drug dealers on Crimint, the general database used to catalogue criminal intelligence, on the basis that a police officer thought that they might become involved in unlawful actions. I also find it rather silly that Londoners are paying the police to gather information on protestors who are filming the actions of the police."
Notes to editors
The following written answers have been received from the London mayor, March 2009
Police surveillance (1)
Question No: 548 / 2009
Jenny Jones
Can you guarantee that the Metropolitan Police Service does not record and store private information about individuals who attend protests or demonstrations but who are not suspected of committing an offence?
Answer from the Mayor:
I am informed that the MPS retains images of known or identified persons to assist in the security and safety of events such as Trooping the Colour, State Opening of Parliament and the Defence Systems Equipment International exhibition which have all be targeted by protestor attempting to disrupt the event.
These images are intelligence led and are supported by an intelligence report indicating why they are of concern. This system can only be accessed by the Intelligence Unit at the Public Order Branch.
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Police surveillance (2)
Question No: 549 / 2009
Jenny Jones
If the Metropolitan Police Service does record and store private information about individuals who attend protests or demonstrations but who are not suspected of committing an offence, what is this information used for and how long is it retained?
Answer from the Mayor:
I am informed that these intelligence images are supported by an intelligence report indicating why the individual has come to notice of the police or why they are of concern. Intelligence images have been used on numerous events to assist in the security and safety of those attending.
Any images or videos stored are reviewed on an annual basis and can be destroyed at this stage if there are no ongoing investigations about the event or any individuals.
The MPS retain these images and videos for a period up to seven years to deal effectively with any criminal or civil actions against the MPS.
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Police surveillance (3)
Question No: 550 / 2009
Jenny Jones
Has the Metropolitan Police Service ever a) recorded and b) stored private information about journalists who report on protests and/or demonstrations?
Answer from the Mayor:
I am informed that the Public Order Branch has never knowingly targeted journalists and does not hold images of bona fide journalists.
However it is worth noting that some protest groups do now deploy their own evidence gatherers with still and video cameras, which leads to confusion.
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Police surveillance (4)
Question No: 551 / 2009
Jenny Jones
If the Metropolitan Police Service does record and/or store private information about journalists who report on protests or demonstrations, what is this information used for and how long is it retained?
Answer from the Mayor:
The public Order does not hold images of bona fide journalists (please refer to my answer to MQ550).
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Police surveillance (5)
Question No: 552 / 2009
Jenny Jones
Does Crimint, the general database used by the police service to catalogue criminal intelligence, include private details of any individuals who are not suspected of an offence?
Answer from the Mayor:
I am informed that the Public Order Branch follows strict national guidelines in entering information from operational deployments that may include people’s names or other details.
Police officers will make notes or record details of known or identified persons that they encounter during their course of duty. The officer report will be entered onto the intelligence system.
The only persons that are identified or described in any report are those that come to notice of police for being involved in disorder, civil disobedience or criminal offences or their actions lead the officers to believe they may become involved in unlawful actions.