Are MI5 more detectives or spies?
Posted by PartyTimez@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 30 comments
I've always assumed MI5 was similar to USA's FBI and Marshalls, but after watching Spooks and Slow Horses, they seem more like James Bond at home?
And if they are more spooky, are there other agencies that fill in the national-level investigation and law enforcement pieces of the puzzle?
Kexxa420@reddit
MI5 is more akin to Homeland Security. I wouldn’t say it’s James Bond at home since most of it it’s desk work.
NCA would be something similar to FBI.
I don’t think there’s any agency similar to the US Marshalls in the U.K. instead different agencies would cover their different duties.
As for Spooks, SIS also known as MI6 are the “spies”.
There’s no real life equivalent to what James Bond does, thought. He is actually a rather bad spy XD
Status_General_1931@reddit
There are kinda equivalents to Bond, it’s called E squadron and it’s made up of personnel from the SAS, SBS and SRR who work with both MI5 and MI6 doing mission for them. Sounds fanciful? It’s not it’s easily researched
Kexxa420@reddit
I meant more like the flashy side of bond. Cmon no spy is announcing their presence. Drinking martini on the job…
Status_General_1931@reddit
Ah ok
Glittering-Round7082@reddit
Don't forget Bond was written straight after WW2. There was some truth in it.
Mikeytee1000@reddit
That’s wrong actually MI5 are just as much spies as MI6, MI5 deal with threats within the UK and MI6 outside the country. There are operational spies within MI5 just as there are in MI6 and a lot of that resource is dealing with threats from China, Russia, Iran and extremists within our borders. Some of it is dangerous work, some of it is surveillance and some of it is mundane, but MI6 is no different to MI5 really, it’s just a matter of where the spying is taking place. I’ve read quite a few non-fictional books on MI5 operations in the UK and it’s hair raising stuff, they had agents deep within the IRA that risked their lives daily, some of which were exposed and executed.
Kexxa420@reddit
Is it really spy or more undercover work? And homeland also deals with external threats in the US soil hence my comparison
Glittering-Round7082@reddit
Undercover work, dealing with informants (Agents), surveillance, communication intercepts etc.
It's very "Spy" but not Hollywood Spy.
Mikeytee1000@reddit
MI5 are full-on proper spies.
Revolutionary-Mode75@reddit
Real life equivalent to James Bond, is the SAS.
Rumple-Wank-Skin@reddit
Terrible, terrible spy
SingerFirm1090@reddit
I think "Spooks" was a bit fanciful.
MI5 seemingly infiltrated the UK’s entertainment industry in the 1960s, with the objective of sabotaging and undermining Leftwing theatre and movie productions, and causing Communist and Trotskyite groups to lose substantial sums of money in the process.
It gets a bit muddy as the police also infiltrate organisations that might pose a threat, though that definition seems to have been rather wider that you might imagine.
I understand MI5 would co-operate with the police if arrests were required.
InternationalBoss768@reddit
Mi5 do not have power of arrest, ergo police involvement, usually via special branch is required
Glittering-Round7082@reddit
Special Branch isn't really a thing any more.
We have Regional Counter Terrorist Police teams.
formersean@reddit
Maybe you shouldn't base your perceptions on TV thrillers, which are fiction and all.
And they're U.S. Marshals, not Marshalls. The latter is a discount clothing store.
PartyTimez@reddit (OP)
Corrected Marshals, thanks. Yes, I didn't want to base my perceptions on TV thrillers, so I figured I'd come here and Ask a Brit per the subreddit imperative.
ValidGarry@reddit
https://securityjournaluk.com/mi5-vs-mi6/
NotABrummie@reddit
MI5 are primarily counter-intelligence. They deal with any threats that have infiltrated the UK. They're not police, and do not have police powers. They are part of the military, so must rely on local police forces for law enforcement.
EconomicsPotential84@reddit
It's tempting to try and find a parallel with ones only country, and people do it here as well comparing our organisations to USA ones, but we've got our own structure and only some parallels.
Mi5 - domestic intelligence. Was originally counter-espionage unit, now general protection of UK interests in the UK. Still counter espionage, but also counter terrorism, and sometimes involved in really serious organised crime if it's a national security threat.
Mi6 - international espionage. Gathering intelligence about foreign powers and international organisations.
GCHQ - nerd spies. Telecoms, tech, Internet intelligence. Both foreign and domestic.
Defence intelligence: millitary intelligence. Gathers' intelligence directly related to current and possible situations that might involve millitary intervention.
All of them overlap and assist each other quite a bit.
If you're looking for an equivalent of the FBI, the closest would be the National Crime Agency. They're an investigation focused organisation tasked with serious organised crime e.g. drug trafficking, serious cyber crime, human trafficking and the largest crime organisations that have National and international reach.
throaway_247@reddit
+------------------+------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| US Agency | UK Equivalent | Main Function |
+------------------+------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| FBI | MI5 / NCA | Domestic intelligence / law enforcement |
| CIA | MI6 | Foreign intelligence |
| NSA | GCHQ | Signals intelligence |
| DIA | Defence Intelligence | Military intelligence |
+------------------+------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
EUskeptik@reddit
As my father warned me, “Never assume.”
erinoco@reddit
Essentially, MI5 is equivalent to the FBI's National Security Branch. Its remit does not cover general criminal activity, although it may be informally involved in operations against criminals in one way or another. The detective functions are carried out by the relevant units of the local police forces - those which used to be known as Special Branch, although they have now been folded into counter-terrorism units. MI5 officers do not have any of the powers of a police officer.
smoulderstoat@reddit
Spies. MI5 investigates things within the UK - traditionally, catching other countries' spies, but also domestic terrorism and extremism, some organised crime and so on - MI6 spies on other people, and GCHQ is responsible for signals intelligence. MI5 isn't a law enforcement body, however, and would need to rely on the National Crime Agency or Met Police Special Branch to make arrests and so on.
loaferuk123@reddit
GCHQ should be added to the list - world class digital espionage.
Mikeytee1000@reddit
Spies for sure
Stuffedwithdates@reddit
More spies. The metropolitan police " Scotland Yard", as it used to be called. provide support for detective work nationally The police that deal with, spy or terrorism related stuff are Special Branch. MI5 are not police they are information gatherers. Overseas spying is MI6
Sweaty_Sheepherder27@reddit
For instance, I believe that MI5 use police officers to actually make arrests when needed as they don't have the power to do that themselves.
EconomicsPotential84@reddit
Correct, special branch units are the liaison for the intelligence service and do the arresting and processing bit.
TheGeordieGal@reddit
I'd love to tell you but then I'd have to kill you...
qualityvote2@reddit
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