2021/24336 - CHIS funding

REQUEST

I'm researching the use of Covert Human Intelligence Sources in contemporary protest movements. Please, can you respond to the following questions in the attached spreadsheet? If you would like to answer in different ways due to the way you record information please get in touch.  

Also, please see the note on the public interest at the bottom.

1. How much money has the force paid to Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) providing information about Extinction Rebellion since the start of 2019? Please use the attached spreadsheet. 
2. How many messages - including phone calls, emails and letters – have your most senior officers received from the Home Secretary mentioning Extinction Rebellion since the start of 2019?  Please use the attached spreadsheet. 
3. How many Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) have provided information about Extinction Rebellion since the start of 2019?  Please use the attached spreadsheet. 
4. How much money has the force paid to Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) providing information about Black Lives Matter (protests and organisations) since the start of 2020?  Please use the attached spreadsheet. 
5. How many messages - including phone calls, emails and letters – have your most senior officers received from the Home Secretary regarding Black Lives Matter since the start of 2020?  Please use the attached spreadsheet. 
6. How many Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) have provided information about Black Lives Matter since the start of 2020?  Please use the attached spreadsheet. 

The scale of covert surveillance of mass peaceful protest movements, highlighting issues of public concern such as racism and climate change, is clearly of considerable public interest. The Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI), for instance, was set up after 

Operation Herne

 unearthed serious historical failings in undercover policing practices. Therefore this very targeted request, which does not ask about CHIS in criminal organisations etc, is merited. It should not be refused on the grounds of national security  - the greater risk to national security (and the public interest) are fears that peaceful movements might be subject to infiltration and surveillance. 

There are also legitimate public interest concerns about the politicisation of the police. It has emerged in the trial of Extinction Rebellion activists that the Home Secretary directly messaged two very senior officers about a blockade of printing presses – see here.  

Finally, please note, police forces have in the past released, under FOI rules, totals spent on Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) – see examples here, here and here. 

RESPONSE