Details
Details
Dates active:
Overview

A8 was responsible for organising the policing for large-scale events in London. This involved determining and obtaining the 'necessary' police resources from the various divisions across the capital and organising the logistical requirements for these personnel. 

A8 were also tasked with training the Metropolitan Police in the control of large-scale demonstrations.

This was not a one-way transfer of intelligence; A8 officers were encouraged to contact Special Branch with specific requests for information or to obtain operational assessments, although they were largely unaware of the source of this intelligence or the existence of the SDS.

Statements

CSV
Title
Hearing Day
Groups
Exhibits
First Witness Statement of John Cracknell
MPS_0748338
edit
Exhibits to First Witness Statement of John Cracknell
Exh JC/1 to Witness Statement of John Cracknell: Photo of scruffle with police
First Witness Statement of Anthony Speed
MPS_0748205
edit

Reports

CSV
Date
Originator
MPS-UCPI
Title
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0722098/55-58
Uniformed police arrangements, for 11 May 1968 Demo, by Hackney Youth VSC, pp. 55-57
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0722098/52-54
Uniformed police arrangements, for 6 July 1968 Demo, by Hackney Youth VSC, pp. 52-54
UCPI
MPS-0748196
Ref 15 in MPS Tranche 1 Closing Statement: Report of the Working Party on Public Order 1968
UCPI
MPS-0748197
Ref 16 in MPS Tranche 1 Closing Statement Tranche 1: Report of the Second Working Party on Public Order 1971
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS_0728852
Report on meeting of Terence McSwiney cumann of Sinn Fein making plans to hold demos in protest at Ireland's application to join the Common Market at Aer Lingus, the Irish Embassy and an address in Bond St on 26 June 1971, held at Westcott Lodge pub on 10
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0728971
SDS Annual Report 1971, inc letter to Home Office seeking authorisation to continue
UCPI
MPS-0748492
Ref 19 in MPS Tranche 1 Closing Statement: Report from A Department on a Schools Action Union Demonstration
MPS_0748492
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS_0728970
SDS Annual Report 1972, inc letter to Home Office seeking authorisation to continue
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0730906
SDS Annual Report 1974, inc letters to Home Office seeking authorisation to continue
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0748283
Memo from Commander Special Branch to Commander A8 saying they have no info on planned National Front rally in Deptford
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0748285
Cover letter to Commander A8 enclosing Special Branch reports on upcoming Lewisham fascist demo and anti-fascist counter demo to be held on 13 Aug 1977 (not attached)
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0728981
SDS Annual Report 1977
Metropolitan Police Service
MPS-0748337
Metropolitan Police General Orders and Regulations 1979
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0728963
SDS Annual Report 1979, inc Home Office letter authorising continuation
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0728962
SDS Annual Report 1980, inc letter from Asst Commissioner seeking authorisation to continue
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS_0730185
Collected documents on members of Troops Out Movement arrested at a ‘Beating the Retreat’ event at Horseguards Parade on 11 June 1981 and prosecuted, inc minute sheet
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0728985
SDS Annual Report 1981, inc Home Office letter authorising continuation
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0730904
SDS Annual Report 1982, inc Home Office letter authorising continuation
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0730903
SDS Annual Report 1983, inc Home Office letter authorising continuation
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0730902
SDS Annual Report 1984, inc Home Office letter authorising continuation
UCPI
MPS-0748339
Exh JC/1 to Witness Statement of John Cracknell: Photo of scruffle with police