OUTRAGE! Convicted Pedophile Spied for Police

A convicted paedophile’s role as a police informant shakes trust in law enforcement’s covert operations.

Story Highlights

Nick Gratwick, convicted for 38 paedophile offences, was a long-term police informant.
Gratwick infiltrated UK activist circles, providing intelligence while committing abuse.
The case highlights systemic failures and ethical concerns in covert policing practices.
Renewed scrutiny on police informant policies and calls for independent oversight.

Gratwick’s Dual Role: A Deeply Troubling Revelation

Nick Gratwick, a convicted paedophile, has been exposed as a long-term police informant embedded in UK environmental and animal rights groups. While providing intelligence to law enforcement, Gratwick committed and planned extensive child sexual abuse, both domestically and abroad. The case exposes systemic failures in covert policing and raises serious ethical questions about the use of informants with criminal backgrounds, potentially eroding public trust in law enforcement.

From the 1990s to the 2010s, Gratwick operated under the alias “Radio Nick,” gaining trust within activist circles by facilitating protest communications. Simultaneously, he fed intelligence to authorities, leveraging his position to evade scrutiny for his crimes. His activities culminated in 2024 when investigations unveiled his dual role and extensive criminal activities, leading to his conviction on 38 paedophile offences. This case has sparked calls for reform and heightened oversight of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS).

Systemic Failures in Covert Policing

The Gratwick case underscores the ethical and systemic failures within covert policing practices. The use of informants in UK policing, especially from within protest and activist circles, has a controversial history. Critics argue that the lack of oversight and accountability enables informants to exploit their positions for personal gain, evading scrutiny for their crimes. The case highlights the urgent need for reforms to ensure robust safeguards and oversight, preventing similar abuses in the future.

Previous scandals, such as undercover officers forming relationships with activists, have already exposed the risks of unchecked covert operations. A 2019 report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) identified inconsistencies and weaknesses in the management of CHIS, warning of the dangers posed by insufficient oversight. The Gratwick case adds weight to these concerns, underscoring the necessity for systemic changes in informant management and oversight protocols.

Implications and Calls for Reform

The fallout from Gratwick’s conviction is already being felt across activist communities and law enforcement. Activists are reassessing their security protocols and trust in law enforcement, fearing further infiltration and surveillance. The case has intensified calls for systemic reform and independent oversight, with many advocating for legal and procedural changes to protect civil liberties and ensure ethical policing practices.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) described the evidence against Gratwick as among the worst encountered by specialist child abuse investigators. Ongoing investigations into potential abuses by other informants have prompted policy reviews and discussions about strengthening oversight mechanisms. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the moral hazards associated with relying on informants with criminal backgrounds, urging a fundamental reassessment of covert policing practices.