The report frequently commends the NPOIU and recommends their 'earlier involvement' at future events.

The NPOIU is the National Public Order Intelligence Unit. It is a sister organisation to the better known NETCU. But while NETCU focuses on providing advice and support to businesses that are the target of political protest, the NPOIU provides the intelligence.

They are both private companies, but as they are ACPO 'domestic extremism' functions they also have access to all existing police data. It is a matter of speculation how much personal info is passed on to the private sector.

It is hard to know what these units get up to as they are unaffected by the Freedom of Information Act, and are not overseen by Police Authorities. They seem to be able to operate entirely as they wish.

The debrief report also commends PS Sully for his role as FIT's NPOIU manager. Mark Sully is well known to those who have attended demonstrations outside London, such as at EDO, Heckler and Koch, No Borders camps, and of course the climate camp. His involvement with NPOIU comes as no surprise, but it's nice nonetheless to know for certain which of these murky organisations are taking our pictures.

More info on the Fitwatch blog.