Committing crimes when undercover.

The only full page in the released document is an appendix to the manual – which the undercover agent is required to sign along with his handler. Agents are permitted to show ‘interest in and enthusiasm for’ unlawful actions in order to keep their cover, and participate in offences which are already underway or suggested by others.


It explains that undercover police are not allowed to become ‘agent provocateurs’. This means they are not allowed to encourage people to commit crimes they wouldn’t have committed anyway.

This document will be of interest in the investigation into former undercover officer Bob Lambert, who – according to MP Caroline Lucas using her Parliamentary privilege – may have ‘crossed the line during animal rights activists’ bombing of department store. In December 2014, one of the animal rights campaigners lodged an appeal to overturn his conviction on grounds of Bob Lambert ‘encouraging illegal acts.