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MI5 has reportedly been asked to join the investigation into the people who organised last week's riots across the UK.
MI5, alongside electronic interception centre GCHQ, is helping police investigate those who used social messaging, most notably Blackberry Messenger (BBM), to co-ordinate the unrest, reports The Guardian. The agencies will also assist in the efforts to ensure the authorities stay ahead of any further disturbance in the UK.
Law enforcers have so far struggled to crack the high level of encryption used in the BBM system, which sends pin-protected messages between denoted BBM users.
MI5 is officially focused on protecting national security in the UK against terrorist threats, espionage and weapons of mass destruction, but the agency does have the statutory power to target those involved in "serious crime".
The BBM network is widely believed to have played an integral role in the rallying that engulfed London, Birmingham, Manchester and other cities. However, despite a pledge by Blackberry owner Research In Motion to assist in the investigation, police have so far failed to access the network.
GCHQ's computers and listening devices are able to track BBM communications, while MI5 can help police identify the owners by working with mobile and internet service providers.
A source told The Guardian: "The hope is this will boost the intelligence available. It always useful to get some boffins in."
Last week, Prime Minister David Cameron said that the government is looking at whether it is "right and proper" to ban people from using social networks and messaging systems during times of unrest if they are found to be plotting criminal activity.
He also said during an emergency debate in parliament that the police must be afforded all the "technological capabilities" available to "hunt down and beat the criminals".
"There was an awful lot of hoaxes and false trails made on Twitter and Blackberry Messenger and the rest of it," he said.
"We need a major piece of work to make sure that the police have all the technological capabilities they need to hunt down and beat the criminals."
Canadian company RIM is permitted under a clause in the Data Protection Act to disclose the names and contacts of BBM users in a certain area and at a certain time.
However, RIM's website was targeted by hackers last week after it pledged to assist police in the investigation, with a message posted warning the firm not to co-operate with the authorities or it "will regret it".
MI5, alongside electronic interception centre GCHQ, is helping police investigate those who used social messaging, most notably Blackberry Messenger (BBM), to co-ordinate the unrest, reports The Guardian. The agencies will also assist in the efforts to ensure the authorities stay ahead of any further disturbance in the UK.
Law enforcers have so far struggled to crack the high level of encryption used in the BBM system, which sends pin-protected messages between denoted BBM users.
MI5 is officially focused on protecting national security in the UK against terrorist threats, espionage and weapons of mass destruction, but the agency does have the statutory power to target those involved in "serious crime".
The BBM network is widely believed to have played an integral role in the rallying that engulfed London, Birmingham, Manchester and other cities. However, despite a pledge by Blackberry owner Research In Motion to assist in the investigation, police have so far failed to access the network.
GCHQ's computers and listening devices are able to track BBM communications, while MI5 can help police identify the owners by working with mobile and internet service providers.
A source told The Guardian: "The hope is this will boost the intelligence available. It always useful to get some boffins in."
Last week, Prime Minister David Cameron said that the government is looking at whether it is "right and proper" to ban people from using social networks and messaging systems during times of unrest if they are found to be plotting criminal activity.
He also said during an emergency debate in parliament that the police must be afforded all the "technological capabilities" available to "hunt down and beat the criminals".
"There was an awful lot of hoaxes and false trails made on Twitter and Blackberry Messenger and the rest of it," he said.
"We need a major piece of work to make sure that the police have all the technological capabilities they need to hunt down and beat the criminals."
Canadian company RIM is permitted under a clause in the Data Protection Act to disclose the names and contacts of BBM users in a certain area and at a certain time.
However, RIM's website was targeted by hackers last week after it pledged to assist police in the investigation, with a message posted warning the firm not to co-operate with the authorities or it "will regret it".
