The idea of the Monitoring Group was inspired by the American Black Panther Party for Self-Defence, which sought to challenge racist policing practices in US cities by patrolling the streets and monitoring the behaviour of police officers.

The Monitoring Group was born from the lived the experience of African Caribbean and Asian young people growing up in Britain during the 1970s. They faced racial violence, abuse and daily racist encounters with the police. Listed below and in chronological order are a number of cases where The Monitoring Group has played a significant role in the struggle for justice.