WHAT WE DO
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ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SIS collects secret intelligence and mounts covert operations overseas. The Intelligence Services Act 1994 directs SIS to obtain and provide information relating to the acts and intentions of persons overseas.
- in the fields of national security with particular reference to the government's defence and foreign policies;
- in the interests of the economic well-being of the UK; and
- in support of the prevention or detection of serious crime.
The Intelligence Services Act 1994 likewise directs SIS to perform other tasks, enabling the Service to conduct covert operations and to act clandestinely overseas in support of British Government objectives.
The collection of intelligence by SIS is in accordance with the requirements and priorities established by the Joint Intelligence Committee and approved by British Government Ministers.
SIS uses human and technical sources to meet these requirements, as well as liaison with a wide range of foreign intelligence and security services.
To fulfil these obligations SIS works closely with the other British intelligence and security agencies (the Security Service and GCHQ), the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, HM Revenue and Customs and other UK law enforcement agencies and government departments.
SIS AND THE MEDIA
Enquiries from the media are conducted through a dedicated FCO press officer in FCO Press Office. Because of the secret nature of SIS work it has been the policy of SIS and successive Governments not to comment on operations, staff, agents, or relations with foreign intelligence services. SIS does not have a Press Office.
SIS AND THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wish to contact SIS may do so from the UK via PO Box 1300, London SE1 1BD.
If you have information relating to immediate threats to the UK, such as terrorism, please pass this immediately to the Security Service.
If your information relates to an imminent threat to life or property, please contact the police on 999 or the police Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
