Photograph, surveillance image

This surveillance photograph of the Suffragette Annie Bell identifies her on the reverse of the photograph as the woman wearing the 'Dark Eye Glasses'. Annie Bell also undertook militant acts using the two aliases, Hannah Booth and Elizabeth Bell. It is likely this image of Annie was taken by an undercover photographer, acting on behalf of the Home Office as she left court during her trial in 1914. As Suffragette militancy increased from 1912 the authorities placed WSPU leaders and Suffragettes considered to be the most dangerous repeat offenders under regular surveillance. This included following and recording their movements, taking undercover photographs and keeping watch over 'safe houses' used by the women.
In April 1913 Annie was charged with obstruction and using insulting words to a policeman likely to cause a breach of the peace. At trial she was found guilty and sentenced to 21 days imprisonment in the 2nd division. In July 1913 Annie was again imprisoned in Holloway for her part in a scuffle between Suffragettes and the police outside the London Pavilion as they tried to arrest Annie Kenney and Emmeline Pankhurst. For obstructing the police and assaulting a Constable by hitting him over the head with an umbrella Annie received a sentence of 21 days imprisonment. In September 1913, whilst on release under the terms of the Cat and Mouse Act, Annie threw a hammer through a Home Office window in protest against the prison authorities keeping her clothes and was rearrested and sentenced to an additional 2 months hard labour.
In July 1914 Annie was again arrested for placing explosives in St John's Church, Westminster and in the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington Butts. Bell was in hiding from the police at the time, as she had recently been released from prison on licence under the terms of the Cat and Mouse’ Act. However for these offences Annie did not receive a sentence due to the Government amnesty for all Suffragette prisoners on the outbreak of war.