For the new spies, it was a guide for their eyes only.
But in 1951 it seems that life in the shadows was less glamorous than a James Bond movie.
The new recruits faced strict selection criteria: only men between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall who did not look like police officers accepted for the difficult surveillance job.
A 17-page official MI5 guide to “observation” declassified today reveals that bosses considered the ideal spy to be “born and not made”, and that many candidates lacked the patience needed for the demanding job.
Unlike in the movies, spies were urged in 1951 to get rid of false mustaches and beards because of the danger of them appearing under lighting.
Instead, new recruits should be of a “rather nondescript type” who seeks to go unnoticed, reserving 007’s signature tuxedo only for the West End.
The guide says: “An observer should adapt to the locality in which he is asked to observe; for example, he should wear old clothes, cap, scarf, etc., in the slums, and be better dressed for the West “. It ends up where you have to frequently enter hotels, apartment blocks or office buildings.
‘The use of facial costumes is not recommended. It may be considered essential in Secret Service films, but in practice it is deplorable.
“A false mustache or beard is easily spotted, especially under the high lights of a restaurant, pub or on a subway.”
A page from a training guide on “Observation” says “this is a small elevator; the observer, be careful, does not detect you; it is better to use the staircase.”
The next box says: “A sees him coming and walks at a good pace.” B crosses over to pursue the chase.
The next part of the guide says ‘S turns the corner, B takes the lead. A observes B until it is safe to continue
MI5’s novice ‘observers’ were given illustrations showing how to pursue a target on foot and were told: ‘Observation is a very onerous and demanding profession.
‘The screen detectives of the secret service thriller or detective novel appeal to the uninitiated, but in actual practice there is little glamor and much monotony in a vocation like observation.
‘The ideal vigilante should be no taller than 5ft 7in or 5ft 8in tall and look as different as possible from a police officer.
‘It is a mistake to use men who are too short, since they attract as much attention as tall men.
“An observer must be of a fairly unremarkable type.”
Having good eyesight and hearing is “essential” and spies are told not to underestimate the enemy: “Don’t underestimate the person you are following.”
“If it seems simple, appearances are often deceiving.”
The guide advises: ‘Stay about 25-30 meters behind the quarry, and when traveling on foot it is preferable to stay on the opposite sidewalk, except on busy streets.
Life as a spy in the 1950s was much less glamorous than that of a James Bond movie. In the photo: Daniel Craig as James Bond.
‘Be prepared for the suspect to board a moving vehicle, such as a bus, tram or train, or call a cruise taxi, or any other ‘tail’ removal device.
“When suspicious, a suspect usually boards a train just before the doors close, becoming the last to board the train, or may get off at the last moment: so do not give him any rope on such occasions.”
If the target flees, the spies should have money ready to get into a taxi after him: “Make up a suitable story that can reach the taxi driver, such as a divorce case, a husband or wife running away, and promise the driver a good tip.” ‘
But recruits are told never to get on the same elevator as their prey.
At post offices or railway stations, agents are encouraged to try to take a “brief look” at names and addresses.
Spies are also told to frequently change their routes home, clothing, and drinking places to avoid being followed themselves.
Ironically, surveillance was the job of a single elderly detective when MI5 was formed.
In 1910, MI5 purchased its first surveillance camera at a cost of £3 10s.
In its early days, the organization was not well funded and MI5 only purchased its second car with the salary of a German spy whom British spies impersonated long after he had been executed.