Public Services
Unit 20 - Communication and Technology in the Uniformed Public Services
Introduction
In this task, I am going to cover P4, M3 and D1 by describing, explaining in detail and evaluating the
technological equipment used by a public service. For this task, I am going to cover the technological
equipment used by Mi5 (Military Intelligence Section 5). I have chosen Mi5 because they use a lot of
different technological equipment to keep the United Kingdom safe from foreign threats of all kinds.
Military Intelligence Section 5
Mi5 is the United Kingdom’s counter-terrorist and security agency; they work domestically to keep the
United Kingdom safe. Mi5 work alongside Mi6 (Military Intelligence Section 6), GCHQ (Government
Communications Headquarters) and Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorist Command SO15 (Special
Operations 15) to seek danger within the United Kingdom. In the past, Mi5 have foiled some of the
deadliest terror attack plots to ever take place in Britain, this resulting in the safeguarding of thousands
of British citizens who would have been killed without Mi5’s effective work.
Mi5 are based at their headquarters in Thames House,
Millbank in London. Mi5 have just over 4,000 employees
and was formed in 1909. Mi5 deal with the prevention of
terrorism through counter-terrorist surveillance and other
operations. They also deal with serious crime throughout
the United Kingdom in relation to crimes such as armed
robbery, drug smuggling, gang activity and weapon sales.
P4 - Describe different types of technological equipment used by a selected public service.
Introduction
In this task, I am going to describe the different types of technological equipment used by Mi5 in the
United Kingdom. Lots of Mi5’s work and equipment is secret. However, there are several key pieces of
equipment used by Mi5 that are publicly showed and used. All of the technological equipment described
in this task is used to keep British citizens and tourists safe from domestic and international threats.
Listening Devices
In the past, Mi5 have gained access to houses, flats and buildings where people of interest live or work,
they have then installed small devices in rooms and through walls that will enable them to hear every
word that is said in the room. An example of when Mi5 will install these devices is if they are currently
investigating a terrorist attack plot; they will use this method of infiltration to monitor the terrorist’s
communication. This is a very risky method of surveillance as access to the building is needed to install
the devices. This means that Mi5 will need twenty four hour surveillance teams around the building to
, monitor the leaving and returning times of the terrorists before selecting the correct time window for a
team to go inside and install the listening devices. Each listening device is very small and hard to notice.
However, under close inspection they may easily be seen, this could compromise Mi5. There are many
different types of voice recorders used by the Mi5 and they can even be disguised as a car key or pen.
Mi5 however, will usually install the devices in hard to get to areas, such as inside plug sockets, above
cupboards and behind radiators. This is a very technological piece of kit which benefits the work of Mi5.
Pictured on the left is one of the voice recording devices, it is the
size of a thumb and can be installed anywhere. Mi5’s version will
have a much larger range and audio quality meaning they can be
almost a mile away and still have a clear connection to the device.
This device will automatically save the audio and relay it to the
surveillance team so they can save it for evidence or information.
These devices are also known as ‘Bugs’ which is a nickname founded by the Intelligence Community. For
example, when a room has been ‘bugged’ it means that a voice recording device has been installed.
Mi5 also use a technological piece of audio equipment called the LTWD (Listen Through Wall Device),
this is a special amplifier that will pick up the slightest of sounds when the microphone is put against
wall from the opposite side. This is an alternative to the other listening device and is to be used when
members of Mi5 are unable to gain access to the specific room.
A scenario where this technological piece of equipment may be used is to
record audio from a hotel room where a potential suspect is staying. The
Mi5 surveillance team will gather intelligence on the room location of the
suspect and will then be booked in to the room next door, this allowing
them to be able to monitor the voice activity of the suspects without any
risks or exposure. However, not even the hotel staff can know about this so
obtaining a specific room can be hard. This device is used for much more.
Hidden Visual Recording and Surveillance Cameras
Similarly to bugging, Mi5 can also install hidden cameras in rooms too. This is significantly more risky as
they must be hidden in plain sight whereas bugging devices can be tucked away. Hidden cameras will
usually be drilled through a wall to keep the wiring out of sight and will then allow the surveillance team
to see what is going on without being there. This has been used many times in the past and has helped
Mi5 successfully foil many terrorist attack attempts and other serious crimes that may have happened.
Pictured on the left is a tiny surveillance camera used by Mi5 to monitor
suspects. The thin cable running below it will give the main camera
unlimited electricity so the camera will not have to be repeatedly changed.
The camera itself is small and will be hard to see in plain sight, making is a
great piece of technological equipment for Mi5 surveillance teams to use.
