Call for review of council use of surveillance
28 Apr 08
Authorities criticised for reliance on spy measures for lower level offending
A review of the reliance on surveillance powers by local authorities in the UK has been called for after the extent of their use was disclosed.
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, originally enacted for the benefit of police, security services and HM Revenue and Customs, was extended to local councils in 2002. It has now been revealed that councils in various parts of the UK are using covert surveillance not only against practices such as benefit fraud, but to detect littering, dog fouling and under age sales of restricted goods.
Scottish councils named included Aberdeen, for benefit fraud and trading standards matters, Glasgow for trading standards and moneylending, and Perth for under age sales.
Privacy campaigner Simon Davies believes the practices involve a huge cost to the taxpayer and questioned whether they came within the spirit of the law. Local authorities defended their right to use every weapon available to catch those who cheated the system.