Undercover police officers left ‘fearing for their lives’ after Facebook posts give clues to identities

Photographs of officers, some taken as recently as the 1990s, were uploaded to a Facebook group celebrating the 'heritage and history' of Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Undercover police have been left fearing for their lives after information about their real identities was posted on a 'heritage and history' Facebook group run by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Photographs of officers serving on the force taken as recently as the 1990s were uploaded, including images from warrant cards with police numbers visible – and full names were posted in the comments section below, reportedly uploaded by a volunteer archivist.

Some feared their lives could be put at risk and were said to be "scared for their safety", and concerns were raised retired officers could also be targeted as a result. The images have since been removed after a complaint was filed.

Nationally, a public inquiry into undercover policing - known as 'spycops' - is assessing whether covert officers who infiltrated more than 1,000 activist groups should be allowed anonymity.

It hit the headlines this week after beauty store Lush put up posters supporting activists who were seduced by undercover officers - some of whom say they were in relationships for years - along with the motto 'paid to lie.' But Avon and Somerset appears to have jeopardised the anonymity of its own retired officers, including some who had acted as witnesses in secret trials.

One former firearms officer said: "I have friends who worked undercover and on surveillance units for Avon and Somerset and some that still work there.

"Given the very dangerous nature of the work they did and still do, they are not on social media to help protect their identities, so they were very shocked and upset when these photographs started appearing on Facebook and were genuinely scared for their safety."

Some of the officers have left Avon and Somerset but gone on to work for other police forces, including the National Crime Agency. In some cases, the photos, which were originally taken for the officers' warrant cards, also included ranks, collar numbers and the names of individual officers, the Bristol Cable reports.

Another Facebook group, Avon and Somerset NARPO, which is administered by retired officers, posted images without permission.

A retired Special Branch Officer from the force, whose responsibilities included national security and intelligence, found his name and photograph had been published online. He investigated violence linked to the Troubles, was a secret witness at a major trial in the 1990s, and is thought to have had a contract on his life put out by the Provisional IRA.

A serving covert Detective Sergeant, who now works for the National Crime Agency but who formerly worked for Avon and Somerset, is said to have complained of having his identity revealed, along with photographs. Below the posts, colleagues reportedly posted his real name.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "We're aware of a complaint about the publication of specific photos and information on the Avon and Somerset History and Heritage Facebook Group page.

"We're looking into the complaint and have already taken action by removing affected posts/photos. We've also amended the privacy settings as an additional security measure.

"As we're still looking into the detail of the complaint, we're unable to comment further at this time."

SWNS