Each covert op costs around £1,500 but MoD reckons they save millions in compensationMILITARY chiefs hired private detectives almost 300 times to spy on veterans suspected of exaggerating injury claims. Each covert op costs about £1,500 but the Ministry of Defence reckons they save millions in compensation. Covert surveillance of service personnel is carried out under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, which was brought in to help police and MI5 monitor terrorists. Last year, the department paid out £135.5million to injured service personnel — including £6.5million to somebody hurt in an assault course fall. The MoD said: “Surveillance should be of no concern to claimants with a legitimate claim and where the alleged injury has not been exaggerated.”

Source: The Times September 20, 2025 22:04 UTC