Date: Saturday 28th October from 10am to 7pm – Spycops session 4pm-6pm.

Venue: Park View School, West Green Road, London, N15 3QR

Free entry

There’s a three-part session on Britain’s political secret police at this year’s London Anarchist Bookfair.

– First, a look at the past when John Quail talks about the history of police spies

– we move into the present and examine how to unmask the infiltrators and protect our movements from spies and the fear of spies

– we look to the future and the ongoing campaign to uncover the truth and end political policing.

The full session will happen over two hours. Additionally, there will be a stall of spycops’ groups – COPS, Undercover Research Group, Police Spies Out of Lives, Blacklist Support Group and more – throughout the day at the fair.

John Quail: Police Spies Then and Now

Launching the new version of his book The Slow Burning Fuse, charting the history of the British anarchists from the 1870s to 1920s and 30s, John will be talking about the extraordinary lengths international police forces went to in their infiltration and disruption of anarchist groups across the country, and the paranoia which it inspired within the ranks of anarchists particularly in London.

Organised by: Freedom Bookshop



Was my friend a spycop?

A look at what is known about undercover police officers exposed to date, their trade-craft, how to investigate and just as important, supporting each other. Also, exploring how to bring people into groups without letting paranoia win. Will touch on Undercover Policing Inquiry also.

Organised by: Undercover Research Group



Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS)

Having heard the background to the Undercover Policing Public Inquiry, this is a chance to discuss the campaigning that’s going on now. How can we take action in solidarity with those of our comrades who are fighting for justice, for information and against this kind of State abuse? Join the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance and others for this final segment.

Organised by: COPS



The session will run from 4-6pm.