Concern for child spies used in covert police investigations

CHILD spies are being used by police and security services in operations against terrorists, gangs and drug dealers, the Home Office has said.

The use of children to infiltrate gangs was criticised by a House of Lords committee, with particular concern expressed for the welfare of youngsters employed in this way.

Lord Trefgarne, chairman of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, wrote to Ben Wallace MP, minister for security and economic crime, stating his reservations. “We are concerned that enabling a young person to participate in covert activity for an extended period of time may expose them to increased risks to their mental and physical welfare,” the letter said.

The use of spies – known as covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) – under the age of 18 is not new. The Daily Telegraph understands additional oversight measures are put in place when young people are used in this way, though their immaturity means they are often not suitable for such roles.

The committee acknowledged that sources under 16 must have an appropriate adult at meetings with their handler, but asked: “How are the interests of 16 to 18-year-olds to be protected?”

Responding to the letter, Mr Wallace said: “Much as investigators would wish to avoid the use of young people in such a role, it is possible that a carefully managed deployment of a young person could contribute to detecting crime and preventing offending. It can be difficult to gather evidence on gangs without penetrating their membership through the use of juvenile CHIS.”

Mr Wallace said amendments would be made to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Juveniles) Order to strengthen the protections for young people used as sources.