NCIS & MI5 & MI6 & GCHQ = Big Brother ? spy.org.uk is the internet domain name of a non-profit campaign organisation, and not to be confused with potential Big Brother organs of the state such as. NCIS - the National Criminal Intelligence Service, coordinates criminal intelligence between the the 43 police forces, the National Crime Squad, Customs & Excise and Immigration authorities. They swap data with their counterparts in Europol, Interpol and other foreign police services. The policing of football matches and animal rights demonstrations are examples of where NCIS is applying advanced CCTV surveillance technology and computerised data matching and pattern analysis. MI5 - the UK Security Service, who are meant to protect us from terrorism and, now that its Cold War role seems to have lessened, drug trafficing, but who have been known to infilitrate civil rights organisations and to keep files on members of the present Labour government. MI6 - the UK Secret Service - the foreign intelligence agency - "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", or "James Bond 007 "? GCHQ - Government Communications Headquarters - Britain's signals intelligence and cryptoanalysis organisation based in Cheltenham, with all the necessary technology and reciprocal agreements with their counterparts at the National Security Agency in the USA to eavesdrop on radio, telephone and internet traffic. They could easily tap into the private sector Trafficmaster CCTV Automatic Vehicle Registration Plate traffic monitoring infrastructure. Reportedly, over half a billion pounds has been spent just on the London HQ buildings of MI5 and MI6.The British political system provides no public information to show if this money,or the annual operational budgets are well spent, We have no idea if the government politicians make proper use of the intelligence gathered by their civil servants. MI5 official website: :http://www.mi5.gov.uk. Some other information can be found at: http://www76.pair.com/spook/security/security.htm http://www.cc.umist.ac.uk/sk/index.html http://www.shayler.com/ and from the press release below: HOME OFFICE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE SECURITY SERVICE 089/98 10 March 1998 PUBLIC TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE SECURITY SERVICE A public telephone number - the MI5 Phoneline - has today been set up by the Security Service ("MI5") to make it easier for people to pass on information which could help the Service do its work. The number - 0171 930 9000 - can be found through Directory Enquiries and will appear in new telephone directories under "Security Service" and "MI5". Reliable information is essential to help the Service identify threats to the United Kingdom's security, wherever in the world they originate. People have always been one of the Service's most important sources of information. They can help to counter a terrorist group, uncover a hostile foreign intelligence operation, or thwart the export of parts for nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. They may be public spirited individuals who notice activities which they think are a threat, and who want to report their concerns. Others may be people who are personally involved in the groups investigated by the service, or who are closely associated with them and who want, for whatever reason, to volunteer information secretly. Whoever they are, the MI5 Phoneline will make it easier to get in touch with the Security Service. Callers' identities will be protected with greatest care - the Security Service places the highest priority on the safety of people who help in this way. For the same reason, the Service uses the information it receives with equally great care. Because the service will have to be sure that callers are who they say they are, staff manning the system will ask for information about the caller and their circumstances. The MI5 Phoneline is not designed to replace the 999 system for emergencies which need an immediate response from the police or emergency services, or the anti- terrorist hotline - 0800 789 321 - which is for giving police information about a terrorist incident which has happened or may be about to occur. The Phoneline will be staffed initially during extended office hours - from 0730 until 2330 - seven days a week. There will be a limited number of lines available, so at busy times, particularly in the first few days of operation, callers may find it difficult to get through. The Service hopes that anyone with genuine information will be patient and try again later. People can write to the Service if they prefer, at The Enquiries Desk, PO Box 3255, London SW1P 1AE. Notes to Editors 1. The Service's job is to protect national security. Its main tasks are the fight against terrorism, espionage and the spreading of weapons of mass destruction. It also acts, at their request, in support of the police, HM Customs and other law-enforcement agencies to counter serious crime. 2. Questions and answers on the Phoneline are attached. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MI5 PHONELINE 1. How can ordinary members of the public help? Can they volunteer to be spies? The Service continues to rely, as it always has done, on members of the public to assist it in various ways. Members of the public who genuinely believe they have information relevant to the Service's functions and which they can substantiate should ring the Phoneline. 2. Why now? The Service has been considering having a public telephone number for some time. The decision to introduce the line now reflects a judgement that the potential benefits, in terms of developing new sources of intelligence and acquiring useful information, are likely to outweigh any disadvantages. It is also consistent with the moves over recent years towards making the Service more accessible. 3. How can members of the public find out more about the Security Service? The Phoneline is not intended as a means of contacting the service about employment opportunities, of seek information about the Service or registering a complaint under the Security Service Act 1989. The Security Service does not have a press office and operators will not be able to answer enquiries from the media or the general public about the Service or its work. They will, however, be able to advise on how such enquiries might be pursued, A 36 page HMSO booklet describing the Security Service and its work was published in 1993. The current edition was published in 1996; a revised edition will appear shortly. 4. A Snooper's Charter? The Phoneline is being established only for the purposes specified in the 1989 Security Service Act that govern the operations and functions of the Security Service. The Service will need to satisfy itself that any information it receives is genuinely relevant to its statutory functions before acting on it. Callers offering information which is not relevant to the functions of the Service will be invited to contact the appropriate authorities. There will be no connection with information lines set up by other agencies, for example the Benefits Agency fraudline. the Security Service will not use information which does not relate to its statutory functions. 5. What sort of calls does the Service not wish to receive on the Phoneline? The Service does not wish to receive calls in the following general categories: General enquiries about the Service and its work Employment enquiries about joining the Service Enquiries from journalists Enquiries from academic researchers about the Service's past work Bomb warnings (which should always be directed to the police) 6. Isn't it confusing to have yet another hotline, in addition to 999 and the Anti-Terrorist Hotline? The Security Service Phoneline is not a "hotline" (ie a means of reporting information relating to imminent or recent acts of criminality, whether or not terrorist- related.) Anyone with information about activities which pose an imminent threat to life or property should contact the police. 7. What about the Secret Intelligence Service ("MI6")? The Security Service's decision to set up a Phoneline reflects its judgements about its own operational priorities and functions as laid down in the relevant legislation. The Security Service (MI5) and SIS (MI6) are two separate organisations with different statutory functions. 8. Will calls be recorded? Yes. 9. When will the line be manned? What happens to calls out of hours? The switchboard will be manned initially from 0730 to 2330 seven days a week. Out of hours, callers with urgent information for example about imminent acts of terrorist or other crime will be given a recorded message advising them to contact the police or the emergency services. 10. Will callers have to give their name? Preferably but not necessarily. However, the Service will need to establish the bona fides of any caller offering information which it judges to be significant. 11. What if someone hacks into the answerphones? Secure arrangements will be used. 12. Will information obtained via the Phoneline be shared with the police? Yes, where it is relevant. Where the police or other law enforcement agency is likely to have to respond immediately as a result of the information being offered, the caller will be advised to contact those authorities direct. 13. What about fax and e-mail? Fax facilities will be available where necessary, but there are currently no plans to have a public e-mail address. 14. Is this a public relations exercise or a reflection of greater openness? The decision to set up the Phoneline now has been made on operational grounds as a means of helping the service to carry out its work. However, it is consistent with other initiatives the Service has taken in recent years (and especially since 1993) to inform the public about its roles and responsibilities and to build on the invaluable public co-operation and support it already receives. 15. Where can people find the number? The Phoneline telephone number will be available from BT Directory Enquiries under "Security Service" and "MI5".