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The Police's Dirty Secret

Dispatches exposes the shocking story of Britain's secret police and how undercover officers reportedly used sex and lies to spy on members of the public.

The programme reveals the names of high-profile targets spied on by the police including the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.

Through the personal testimony of a whistleblower who operated deep undercover for four years, the film examines the ethically dubious tactics of a clandestine unit within the Metropolitan police.

Tasked with infiltrating political campaigns and protest groups, it operated under the unofficial motto 'By any means necessary'.

The programme speaks exclusively to the women who say their lives have been wrecked after being spied upon; and who reveal how they were duped into sexual relationships with men they didn't even know were cops.

One of the women reveals the heart-wrenching story of how she was also deceived into having a child with a police spy.

The film resulted in a public inquiry being launched into the secret unit by then Home Secretary, Theresa May.

First broadcast Channel 4, 24th June 2013