Trade secrets of undercover police being exposed, warns senior officer

POLICE have warned that too much exposure of undercover techniques will damage vital work that helps them investigate some of Scotland's most dangerous criminals.

The warning follows extensive coverage of Constable Mark Kennedy's seven-year infiltration of an environmental group in Nottinghamshire.

Detective Superintendent David Bullen, head of undercover operations at Lothian and Borders Police, declined to criticise Nottinghamshire colleagues, but said there was a danger that greater publicity would make their work less effective.

He said: "It's a concern if police officers or those involved in criminal justice don't consider the ramifications of disclosing how we go about our business, not just in the short term - court cases and investigations - but wider ramifications for justice.

"There's lots of media coverage and speculation about how we go about our business, but the reality is we don't need to go beyond that, we don't need to expose what we do, with- out real considerations of what the ramifications could be for making our tactics less effective."

By necessity Det Sup Bullen is secretive about his department's work, and he would not confirm whether any officers were currently working undercover. He stressed the importance of that work in past cases.

One recent success story was that of an undercover officer exposing a cocaine ring run by former boxer, James Carlin, 24, who was a major player in Edinburgh's illicit drug trade. Carlin was caught by a year-long covert operation.

The sting saw an undercover officer, known as Kev, pose as a criminal on the run from the authorities in England, and infiltrate Carlin's gang.

Carlin was convicted of being concerned in the supplying of cocaine, and of attempting to be involved in the supplying of ecstasy. He was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Det Sup Bullen said: "The broader picture is these people cause the biggest harm and the most threat.

"Over the last few years we've demonstrated that we've got the ability to adapt, to learn, to use the legislation that's there to get right in about those pervasive, problematic crime groups who really are attacking the social fabric of Lothian and Borders."

He also stressed that undercover work was a last resort and those officers who engage with the public while undercover - many do not - are carefully managed and adhere to strict national guidelines.

Mr Kennedy reportedly slept with a number of women while undercover. Det Sup Bullen said: "In my area that would not be sanctioned. I would never sanction anyone to have sexual relations."David Sinclair, of Victim Support Scotland, said: "As a victims' organisation we recognise that the police, by necessity, have to resort to various methods in tackling crime and bringing those responsible for crime to justice. We are confident that in so doing they adhere to certain principles and operate within the law."

Assistant Chief Constable Johnny Gwynne, covert policing lead for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said: "The use of undercover police officers assists the police to combat crime and prevent violent disorder to keep people and communities safe.

"Undercover operations have proved successful in the fight against crime and terrorist activity to ensure public safety.

"Their use is highly regulated."