In the 60 years of its existence – and 50 years as a magazine – Searchlight has investigated and monitored the activities of racists, fascists, the far right and neo-Nazi groups in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Now, with the rise of the far right here and across the globe, our work is as vital as ever.
Over the years we have been responsible for the arrest and jailing of dangerous, violent far-right criminals:
- In the 1970s, we helped West Midlands police uncover a large cache of weapons stockpiled by nazi gangs.
- In 1981, we prevented a nazi bomb attack on the Notting Hill Carnival.
- In the 1990s we exposed the terrorist activities of Combat 18.
- In 1999 a Searchlight infiltrator codenamed ‘Arthur’ helped identify the neo-Nazi London nail bomber David Copeland.
Much of our information has been gained from undercover intelligence work by moles and informants. Perhaps the most celebrated was Ray Hill who, working undercover in British Movement and the British National Party, managed to prevent the Notting Hill Carnival bomb plot.
And today, Searchlight continues to operate a network of inside informants in groups across the extreme right. We enjoy an international reputation and work with colleagues across the world.
Focussing on our online operation
Having published the final print issue of the magazine in 2025, we have moved our entire operation online to make better use of our resources and devote even more to the central tasks of investigating, analysing, and reporting on the extreme right – and doing it more immediately.
Already we have a growing online presence with hundreds of visitors to our website every day. And we have ambitious plans for expanding our investigative capacity and keeping an even closer eye on what is going on within the far right.
But this intelligence work is far more expensive than many realise and if we are to maintain and grow it, we will need the ongoing financial support of our readers and supporters.
Join the good fight
If you have had a subscription to the magazine – or even if you haven’t – please consider supporting us with a regular contribution to this exciting new chapter of Searchlight’s distinguished history at the heart of the anti-fascist and anti-racist movement.
Together we can keep the Searchlight trained on the enemies of democracy and their activities.
There are several ways you can support our important work. Although we are no longer in print there are still costs involved for our website and social media platforms, and to finance our research and intelligence work.
We have no salaries to pay, as everyone involved is a volunteer. So, every single penny we raise goes directly to our essential work.
Become a Searchlight Supporter
If you can make an ongoing commitment, by setting up a standing order via your online banking, you can become a Searchlight Supporter. This gives us the security of a regular source of income.
As a Searchlight Supporter you will:
- receive a monthly bulletin highlighting our most important online posts and upcoming events.
- receive an annual survey, by email, of far-right activity.
- help us gather crucial intelligence to expose the far right.
- make sure we have a vibrant online presence.
- help ensure that we remain an essential resource to anti-fascists
Pay by PayPal
We offer a range of subscription rates dependent upon your situation. Please choose the appropriate one in the drop-down menu in the PayPal payment form below.
Pay by bank transfer
If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, then please use these account details and use the reference ‘Support’.
Account name: Searchlight
Account No: 11110608
Sort Code: 40-17-45
Pay by standing order
Email us if you do not have online banking and need a standing order mandate form.
Make a one-off donation.
If you cannot make an ongoing commitment then one-off donations, however small, help us continue our work.
We welcome personal donations or collective donations through trade union, student, professional or community organisations. Please support the continuation of Searchlight’s vital work. There are several ways to donate:
- Use the Donate button below to donate by credit card, debit card or with a PayPal account.
- Send a cheque, made payable to Searchlight, to Searchlight, PO Box 1576, Ilford IG5 0NG.
- Donate by bank transfer to Searchlight, sort code 40 17 45, account number 11110608.
Buy the final issue of Searchlight Magazine
The 72-page bumper, 50th anniversary final issue of Searchlight magazine is selling like hot cakes. Don’t miss out on having your copy.
The issue has articles by or about our editors over the years and our most important exposés. It also honours the real heroes of the anti-fascist movement – the brave people who go undercover in the far-right organisations, at considerable personal costs and risk to their safety, to expose what the extremists are up to.
Thank you for your support and solidarity!