Legal Updates

Councils ''should save surveillance powers for serious crime''

Date:  20 Nov 2008

Councils in England and Wales have been urged to ensure the appropriate use of surveillance competences under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).

According to Hazel Harding, chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer Communities board, parliament "clearly intended" that councils should use the powers, which are designed to combat complaints about criminal acts such as fly-tipping, rogue trading and benefit fraud.

However, she said councils should ensure they do not utilise RIPA to tackle less serious offences, echoing comments made by Home Office minister Vernon Coaker to the Lords Constitution Committee.

The use of RIPA where minor issues are concerned – for instance dog fouling and putting rubbish out on the wrong day - is "inappropriate", he claimed.

Ms Harding added that the LGA would continue to work with local councils to ensure they are "completely confident in using these powers properly".

Critics of RIPA have claimed that the act essentially amounts to a "snooping law".

Vizards Tweedie act for a number of public sector bodies, advising on all aspects of the law. Contact Ron Perry on this subject

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