A recent release from the National Archives unveils an MI5 training manual that outlines the essential qualities of a successful watcher, a role that remains crucial even in the age of electronic surveillance. Despite many applications, only a handful possess the necessary skills and patience. The anonymous author notes that a successful watcher is a “rarity.”
The manual details that ideal watchers should blend in. They shouldn’t be too short or too tall, and they must avoid any appearance that suggests they’re law enforcement. Good eyesight and hearing are essential, enabling them to pick up on conversations without being obtrusive. Clothing matters—old clothes are preferred in less affluent areas, while a more polished look is necessary in upscale neighborhoods. The trainer warns against using disguises like fake facial hair, which can easily be spotted.
Accurate reporting of a suspect’s movements is vital. If a watcher gets noticed, they risk jeopardizing the entire operation. To track a suspect, watchers should keep a distance of 25 to 30 yards, staying on the opposite side of the street.
If a suspect jumps on a train or bus, watchers need to be ready. The manual advises them to carry spare change for tickets and to move gradually closer on escalators. Watchers must be alert, as suspects often try to shake off their followers at the last moment.
Memorizing details about anyone a suspect meets in a café or restaurant is critical. Quick exits are necessary, so having cash ready for bills is a must. Identifying a suspect’s home during wartime blackout challenges requires keen observation of how they enter a building—watchers look for clues like whether the suspect uses a key or enters through a communal hallway.
In car chases, good tips for cab drivers can help keep the chase discreet. If a suspect buys a train ticket, watchers should subtly listen for the destination to continue following.
Post offices also provide valuable intel. Watchers can get glances at names and addresses while standing near suspects at the counter.
To avoid detection, watchers might take a circuitous route to their assignment, mixing up their travel methods. Suspects are highly aware of their surroundings and may switch transportation modes to check for any tails.
MI5 still depends on well-trained watchers, rebranded now as mobile surveillance officers. Today, these officers are diverse in gender and ethnicity, but the manual’s assertion holds true: some traits are innate.
Additional documents released today also shed light on historical investigations. They reveal MI5’s inquiries into actor Dirk Bogarde, claims about a Russian agent’s warnings of spies in the UK government, and significant confessions tied to the infamous Cambridge spy ring.
This spring, an exhibition at the National Archives in Kew will showcase MI5’s history, featuring original case files, photographs, and espionage equipment, along with videos of former directors general.