Story perspectives

Met Police Admits Decade of Unlawful Surveillance on HCDA

12/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Undercover officers monitored the Hackney Community Defence Association (HCDA) for a decade, from 1968 to 2010, per the spycops public inquiry.
The HCDA was established to combat police brutality and racism and helped victims of police violence seek justice.
Reports showed personal details about founder Graham Smith and inaccurately portrayed the HCDA as anarchist, a surveillance Smith called unlawful.
The Metropolitan Police admitted it was wrong to spy on the HCDA.

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Story summary

Undercover officers monitored the Hackney Community Defence Association (HCDA) for a decade, from 1968 to 2010, per the spycops public inquiry.
The HCDA was established to combat police brutality and racism and helped victims of police violence seek justice.
Reports showed personal details about founder Graham Smith and inaccurately portrayed the HCDA as anarchist, a surveillance Smith called unlawful.
The Metropolitan Police admitted it was wrong to spy on the HCDA.