MI5 Attempts to Increase Women in the Ranks

Via Gulf Times.com -

Security service MI5 is keen to bring more women on board as it launches a new recruitment campaign this week - the latest stage in a drive to double its size.

The domestic spy agency, around 1,800 strong at the time of the September 11 attacks on the US in 2001, has swelled its ranks to more than 3,000 and expects to reach 3,500 by the end of next year.

But despite being able to point to two recent female leaders, it is struggling to attract women recruits. While women make up around 47% of all employees, they account for only 38% of new applicants.

“We need to get that increased so we’re not going to have a problem further down the line,” said a security source. “We have to reflect the diversity of the UK to do our job properly.”

The nature of surveillance work, for example, requires a healthy balance between male and female operatives to keep track of suspects without attracting attention.