The British Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6, is the United Kingdom's foreign intelligence service. Its primary role is to gather intelligence from outside the UK to support national security and foreign policy objectives. Established in 1909, MI6 operates under the authority of the UK government and works closely with other intelligence agencies, including MI5 and GCHQ. MI6's activities include espionage, surveillance, and analysis of foreign threats. The agency is known for its secretive nature and has been depicted in popular culture, notably in the James Bond film series. Its headquarters is located at Vauxhall Cross in London.