Councils will lose surveillance powers to monitor domestic waste collections and for other ‘trivial purposes’, under proposals to reform the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
Speaking at the launch of the consultation, home secretary, Jacqui Smith, said that although public bodies needed adequate powers to protect people ‘from those who would do us harm’, these powers should not be used ‘inappropriately’.
‘I don’t want to see these powers being used to target people for putting their bins out on the wrong day or for dog-fouling offences,’ she said.
RIPA applies to English and Welsh councils and allows the use of methods, such as hidden cameras, to detect crimes including benefit fraud, but authorities have been accused of targeting minor offences. Critics, including the Tories and Lib Dems, say RIPA is a ‘snoopers’ charter’ which needs reform.
The Government is proposing creating a role for councillors to oversee the uses of RIPA powers, and raising the rank at which RIPA authorisations can be granted within local authorities to senior executives.
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