Surveillance - Police Manual chapter

Surveillance is the observation of people, vehicles, places or objects in order to obtain information about the activities and identities of individuals. Surveillance can be carried out overtly or covertly, and it is either static (meaning conducted from premises, vehicles or fixed points) or mobile (meaning it is conducted on foot, or from a vehicle, aircraft or helicopter.) Surveillance is planned, directed and secretive with the purpose of discovering the nature and extent of criminal activity to identify the people involved, and to gather evidence. Some parts of this chapter have been considered not appropriate for release and, if requested, would be withheld under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). The relevant sections of the Act that would apply have been identified.