THERE was “no clear rationale, justification or necessity” for spycops to adopt the “repulsive practice” of stealing the identities of deceased children, a public inquiry heard today.

The disturbing tactic was used by undercover officers serving in the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), a secret unit of the Metropolitan Police which infiltrated protest groups over 40 years. 

At least 42 officers are known to have stolen elements of dead children’s identities to use while undercover, including their names, dates of birth and even details from their lives.