Councils using ‘snooping’ powers to crack down on offenders

Jan 5 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

COUNCILS in the North have admitted using “snooping” powers to crack down on minor offences on hundreds of occasions, despite Government warnings not to.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) allows local authorities to use camera or video surveillance and to get data from internet and phone companies to investigate crimes.

But the Government criticised certain councils or using Ripa techniques to spy on people who put their bin out a day early or who allow their dog to do its business on the pavement.

A Journal investigation has revealed councils across the North East have used the powers nearly 700 times to investigate benefit fraud, car parking offences, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

Newcastle City Council heads the list with 984 uses of Ripa powers since July 2001.

Officers have used recording devices to investigate noise complaints, surveillance by undercover officers to check on potential benefit fraud, video surveillance to record evidence of anti-social behaviour and checks on phone numbers found while investigating fly-tipping.

A city council spokesman said: “Covert surveillance properly regulated under Ripa is a valuable tool in tackling crime and disorder for the benefit of the city and its residents.