As reported by the BBC (Extent of council spying revealed),
Councils in England and Wales have used controversial spying laws 10,000 times in the past five years, figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show.
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) was designed to fight serious and organised crime. Unfortunately Local authorities have largely devolved RIPA decision-making to relatively junior staff, and RIPA is being implemented to investigate illict fly-tipping (by the Mafia, perhaps?) dog fouling (perhaps Triad dogs?) and other minor offences. Responses to the Liberal Democrats' FOI request (surveying more than 180 authorities) found
• 1,615 council staff have the power to authorise the use of Ripa.
• 21% (or 340) of these staff are below senior management grade.
• Ripa powers have been used 10,333 times in the last five years.
• Just 9% of these authorisations have led to a successful prosecution, caution or fixed-penalty notice
Surely enough is enough, and the Home Office should act to enforce the proper usage of RIPA. Merely revising a Code of Practise is perhaps inadequate.