Directed Surveillance
Key points
- Involves monitoring targets' activities.
- Subject to strict legal controls.
- Carried out by specialist Security Service staff.
Directed Surveillance operations involve the covert monitoring of targets' movements, conversations and other activities.
All the Service's Directed Surveillance operations are subject to an internal authorisation system required by Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (new window) (RIPA), and are run in accordance with the Code of Practice on Covert Surveillance.
This work is carried out by highly skilled specialist surveillance officers who may work in vehicles, on foot or from fixed observation posts. Our surveillance section often works in close co-operation with others, particularly the police.
