West Midlands Police have disclosed spending more than £1.25 million on payments to informants over a five-year period from 2020 to 2025. These payments were made to Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS), key players in gathering critical intelligence used in serious criminal investigations.
The details emerged following a Freedom of Information request, highlighting the force’s commitment to transparency regarding the use of public funds and covert policing tactics. A spokesperson emphasized that public awareness surrounding the management of CHIS fosters trust and accountability in law enforcement activities.
While the police provided the payment figures for the five consecutive years, they declined to reveal further information, citing exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act related to national security and ongoing investigations.
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Roger Bannister, former Deputy Chief Constable and national lead for covert human intelligence sources, underlined the importance of CHIS intelligence, describing it as vital for preventing and solving serious crimes and ensuring offenders are brought to justice. He assured the public that payments to informants are subject to rigorous scrutiny within a well-regulated system.
Ex-undercover officer Ronnie Howard echoed this sentiment, defending the expenditure as a cost-effective method to tackle crime. He shared insights on the dynamics of using informants, noting that sometimes informants who are involved in criminal activities provide intelligence on rival offenders, proving valuable for law enforcement.
Below is the breakdown of annual payments made to informants by West Midlands Police:
- 2020-2021: £272,931
- 2021-2022: £226,511
- 2022-2023: £297,240
- 2023-2024: £250,565
- 2024-2025: £206,185
Total expenditure over five years: £1.25 million
These figures demonstrate the ongoing investment in covert human intelligence as a crucial tool for maintaining public safety and effectively combating crime in the region.