We are aiming to inform people about our activities, and are presently seeking much-needed support from Brixton-based people.

We are trying to put together volunteer groups who, on a rota-basis, monitor the activities of police on the streets of Brixton, in order to encourage more residents to take an active part in taking control of their streets. By being out on the streets 'CopWatching' we can help promote a better awareness in people about their rights especially vis-a-vis the police.

As well putting together these volunteer groups we want to encourage everybody else to make monitoring the police a part of their daily routine. Every time you notice the police stopping and searching someone you probably have a quick look already. Let's LET the police know we are watching them!

If you are interested in getting involved with Brixton CopWatch either contact us to become part of a regular volunteer monitoring group in Brixton, or email us with your record of any incidents you may 'watch'. The information to obtain for a formal record if you CopWatch is as follows:

Date and time.
Police I.D numbers and descriptions.
Description and/or name(s) of person(s) detained.
General description of incident witnessed (include location, police behaviour, etc.)
If arrested, why?
Name of police station taken to.
Names and addresses of witnesses, especially in the case of unfair treatment.
And any other comments you have regarding the incident witnessed.
(Accompanying video footage, if possible.)

Go over if you see someone has been detained and begin to collect the information. Let the police know you are from copwatch. In Brixton the name has become familiar to them so they will understand what you are doing. Comply with them if they ask you to step back, just in case they try to do you for obstruction, etc., but remain calm and assertively remind them of your right to watch (and film) on public ground. They have been known to distract you with an inquisition on the organisational structures of CopWatch ("so, who's your line manager then?") while they whisk the detained away and out of sight. Don't let them distract you from getting the important details!

Please email with us with any comments or contacts/groups who may also be interested or who are pursuing similar activities. We urgently need more people involved.

Brixton CopWatch

Whose streets?
OUR STREETS!