The Crime Agents The secrets of undercover policing
Jan 14, 2026
Join former Metropolitan Police officer James Bannon as he shares gripping tales from his 1980s infiltration of Millwall's Bushwhackers, revealing the intense emotional cost of undercover work. He discusses crafting a believable identity and the risks of unreliable partners. Broadcaster Alice Levine also joins to talk about her podcast on a major fraud involving a bogus bomb detector, highlighting the dire consequences of deception and the role of investigative journalism in bringing the truth to light.
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The Double-Life Reality
- Undercover officers live a double life that blurs boundaries between identities and roles.
- That deep immersion creates constant risk of slips that can compromise lives and operations.
Legal Tightening Around Covert Work
- Covert deployments are among the most intrusive policing tactics and now sit under strict legal frameworks.
- Authorization and oversight have increased since the Human Rights Act and RIPA to limit abuse.
Vet Undercover Officers In Person
- Authorizing officers must personally vet undercover candidates when in doubt to ensure competence.
- Demand face-to-face checks to confirm mental fitness and ability to sustain a covert role.
