Police defend crime Bill

Police chiefs have spoken out against what they call "unbalanced" comment on covert surveillance proposals in the forthcoming Police Bill.

Writing to The Independent today, Ray White, Chief Constable of Dyfed- Powys police and president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, attacks suggestions that police will try to intercept conversations between solicitors and clients or eavesdrop on planning meetings for peaceful demonstrations.

The letter, co-signed by five other chief constables, says the Bill will give a statutory base to undercover surveillance methods already in use rather than provide for new tactics. "These emotive red herrings should not be allowed to reduce police effectiveness", it says.

Letters, page 11