New research reveals councils in Great Britain have authorised over 8,500 RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) operations since April 2008
The Grim Ripa is the fifth major report released by Big Brother Watch, investigating the uses and abuses of RIPA. Our research revealed that 372 local councils in England, Scotland and Wales have authorised 8,575 Directed Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Source authorisations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and RIPSA in the period 1st April 2008 – 31st March 2010. Our research also found that innocent people had been placed under surveillance for minor crimes ranging from littering and dog fouling to smoking in a public place; leading to calls for the powers to be removed from council’s hands completely.
To read the full report, The Grim Ripa, including full details of the number of authorisations, reasons and prosecutions for every local authority in Great Britain, please click here.