SIR – If you wondered who guards the guards, it seems the answer is the Big Brother Watch group.
Well done to them for their hard work investigating just how much the public has been secretly investigated. The answer, sadly, was not a surprise, but still makes shocking reading.
Seven public bodies refused to answer FOI questions on their use (abuse) of Regulation of Investigatory Powers legislation, but the research showed 345 councils had been authorised 9,607 times in the past three years. Most resulted in no action being taken.
The legislation was intended to fight terrorism, but is being used to target minor offences such as dropping litter, flouting the smoking ban and dog fouling.
From November town halls will need permission from a magistrate before snooping. Am I reassured? Am I heck.
Godfrey Bloom UKIP, MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article