MI5

MI5, officially called the Security Service, is one of the British secret service agencies. Its remit covers the protection of British Parliamentary democracy and economic interests, and fighting serious crime. It is mainly concerned with internal security, whilst the SIS or MI6 looks after external security. Within the government community, MI5 is colloquially known as Box (after its official wartime address of PO Box 500 and its current address—PO Box 3255, London SW1P 1AE) or simply Five. The organisation is based since 1995 at Thames House, Millbank, London. Previous headquarters have been 140, (aka "Russian House") Gower Street, 1976-95; Leconfield House, Curzon Street, 1945-76; and 124-26, Cromwell Road, 193?-37. The sites at Gower and Curzon streets are now demolished.

Related Topics:
British - Secret service - SIS - MI6 - SW1P - Thames House - Millbank - London - Gower Street - Curzon Street

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As well as the current MI5 and MI6, there have been a number of British military intelligence groups designated as MI-(section number) existing at various times since the First World War, which have now been abandoned or subsumed by MI5, MI6 or GCHQ. These included MI1 (Directorate of Military Intelligence), MI2 (intelligence in the Soviet Union and Scandinavia), MI3 (Germany and Eastern Europe), MI4 (aerial reconnaissance during the Second World War), MI8 (interception and interpretation of communications), MI9 (covert operations and PoW escape), MI10 (weapons and technical analysis), MI11 (Field Security Police), MI12 (German specialists), MI14 (German specialists), MI17 (secretariat for MI departments) and MI18 (Prisoner of War debriefing). MI(R) was responsible for the creation of the secret Home Guard Auxiliary Units. Most British military intelligence is now gathered and analysed by the Defence Intelligence Staff, part of the Ministry of Defence, with support from MI6, GCHQ and allied intelligence organisations.

Related Topics:
First World War - GCHQ - Soviet Union - Scandinavia - Germany - Eastern Europe - Second World War - MI8 - MI9 - PoW - Home Guard Auxiliary Units - Defence Intelligence Staff - Ministry of Defence

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