In Denmark individuals whose phones have been tapped are notified within 14 days of the expiry of the warrant unless to do so would harm the detectionofcrime.
The GMC's guidance continues to explain that doctors should usually seek the patient's consent or tell the patient they are going to disclose information without their consent, unless to do so would put others at risk or would undermine the prevention or detectionof a serious crime.
The methods they used to avoid detection were straight out of a crime novel - they wrote cryptic notes using numbers and letters and spoke in code on the phone.
The region's last chief constable, Pat Shearer, has highlighted the low crime levels and high detection rates, as well as the "dedication and devotion of the policing team".