Monday, June 23, 2008

Is Big Brother Watching You?

I have previously raised my concerns about the abuse by Councils of the Regulation of Investigatory Power Act 2000, a legislation giving Councils surveillance powers designed for combating terrorism and serious crime, then using these powers to police minor infringements.

In view of a letter sent today to Councils from Sir Simon Milton of the Local Government Association urging that these powers aren't abused in future, I am keen to ensure the City Council is behaving responsibly and have written to the Council to ask:

How many times Cambridge City Council has used its surveillance powers under this act?

What form(s) of surveillance were undertaken?

For what purposes?

Who in the Council authorises such surveillance?

Does the Council have a policy on when officers may or may not use its powers under this act?

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