Thursday, 18 January 2024 — Netpol
A Daily Express Journalist has infiltrated Palestine Action and handed information to the police, leading to six arrests for conspiracy to cause criminal damage.
While undercover police and journalists can pose a real threat, especially to high-profile groups, most information the police hold about our movements is gained through much less sensational means.
Police may put pressure on protest groups to share their plans for action in advance by implying the police will be more permissive with protests if they have “official” permission (spoiler alert: this is a false promise – see our Guide to Talking to the Cops). Police may use information gained from social media, “friendly chats” with people on protests, and attendance at public events to gather information and build profiles of people they regard as “organisers”.
Netpol are working on some Security 101 resources to help people keep themselves and their friends safer. Send us your security questions, and we’ll answer them! Share your questions at info@netpol.org or DM us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
If you’re concerned about undercover policing, the Undercover Research Group (URG) have produced a useful list of questions they ask to determine whether someone merits further investigation. This does NOT indicate that someone in your group is an undercover cop. We strongly discourage people from spreading rumours based on suspicions alone. You can contact URG for support at contact@undercoverresearch.net.
The New Dark Age 
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