LGA warns councils over surveillance

Concern at council 'snooping'

The Local Government Association has warned councils not to overuse their controversial surveillance powers.
It advised caution after the Home Office minister Vernon Coaker told the House of Lords constitution committee that the scale of council snooping was undermining public support for the anti-terrorism law that gave them the powers.

Fury has repeatedly been expressed after surveillance has been used to gather evidence for bin offences – including putting rubbish out on the wrong day – and for relatively minor offences including proving people did not live within school catchment areas or were responsible for dog fouling.

Hazel Harding (Lab), chair of the LGA safer communities board said: "By their nature, surveillance powers are never to be used lightly but it is important that councils don't lose the power to use them when it's appropriate.

"The LGA will continue to work with councils to make sure that they are completely confident in using these powers properly."

The LGA wrote to every council six months ago, urging authorities to undertake an urgent review of their surveillance operations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and to seek feedback from residents on surveillance operations.

Serious criminal offences, such as fly-tipping, rogue trading and defrauding the benefits system were the sort of crimes residents wanted tackling using the powers, Cllr Harding said.

"Whilst it is a matter for each council to determine for its area, the LGA's advice is that, save in the most unusual and extreme circumstances, it is inappropriate to use these powers for less serious matters," she added.

Author: Nick Golding.