The Regulation Of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and its supporting secondary legislation, the Lawful Business Practice Regulations 2000 (LBPR) are part of the government’s crime fighting agenda and cover two main areas:
- Surveillance
- Monitoring/interception of electronic communications eg: e-mail or internet use.
Their main purpose is to ensure that relevant investigatory powers are used in accordance with human rights.
When do we use our investigatory powers?
At Leicester City Council, we only use the powers when necessary to catch people who cost the council and the taxpayer money - for example flytippers or fraudulent benefit claimants.
RIPA powers are very carefully regulated and monitored, and The Council is inspected regularly by the Office of Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) and and the Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office (IOCCO). Leicester City Council have received good inspection reports.
We are asked regularly about what powers we use. Please note that releasing too much detail could compromise our ability to prosecute offenders.
How we have used these powers is published below:
