Metropolitan Police Counter Recognisance Group
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.023778
I note you seek access to the following information:
I was recently witness to one of your officers attempting to interrogate a photographer on the public concourse of New Scotland Yard.
The officer identified himself as part of the "Metropolitan Police Counter Recognisance Group". I can find no documented reference to this particular body.
Therefore under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide:
a) the documented functions of the body which carries out Counter Recognisance and
b) Whether that function is controlled by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, and its oversight body.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Qa - the documented functions of the body which carries out Counter Recognisance and
The MPS has a Counter Reconnaissance Team (CRT), however, without a specific date and time, we cannot confirm the details provided. The CRT are trained in behavioural observation, they observe ‘out of place’ behaviour and then stop that individual. They are governed by normal police powers, procedures and policies.
Our surveillance is not directed towards an individual – we concentrate on iconic sites, sensitive sites, and crowded places with the intent of detecting those carrying out hostile reconnaissance. This falls under the “Deny, Detect, Deter” protective security strategy from the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI). This encompasses Counter Terrorism (CT), crime, Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC) nominal etc (individuals that are those persons who, owing to mental health issues or otherwise, have fixations with subjects that have highly visible public profiles, usually members of the royal family or politicians). Someone filming or making images of New Scotland Yard would come to our attention and we may engage with that individual to find out what they are doing. Officers are trained in behavioural detection and disruptive effects.
I have included the following links on the subject, which you may find useful:
Crowded places guidance - hostile reconnaissance
Link to the Centre for the Protection of National Infastructure - hostile reconnasissance where you can find more information.
Qb - Whether that function is controlled by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, and its oversight body.
No. As explained above, this function is governed by normal police powers, procedures and policies.