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Councils admit spying on residents
10:48am Thursday 5th June 2008
Comments (8)ANTI-TERROR powers are being used to spy on people in St Albans, it has been revealed today.
Both St Albans District Council and Hertfordshire County Council have admitted that they are using the controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act to snoop on residents.
It follows a Freedom of Information Act request into how many councils across the country are using the legislation since it was introduced in 2000.
The act allows councils to intercept communications and use covert spying techniques for reasons including national security, protecting public health and economical well-being.
But many who have been spied upon will have no idea as the innocent have no right to know.
Josie Judge, spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council, said: "The RIPA powers ensure that when we carry out investigations we do so properly.
"We operate within the required sanctions and we are externally audited to ensure that we are abiding by all rules."
Your Say YourTimes Series
Chris White, St Albans says...
5:54pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Robin Friday, St Albans says...
8:45pm Thu 5 Jun 08
You make the fatal mistake of making a literal translation of the word "liberal". The LibDems ceased being "liberal" years ago.
Steph, St Albans says...
10:23am Fri 6 Jun 08
Chris White wrote:Oh that makes it alright then Chris, as long as other councils are doing it, we have nothing to worry about...
In fact 121 councils are in the same category. It's things like CCTV which residents are very keen to have. The story was in the Guardian this morning.
Chris White, says...
12:50pm Fri 6 Jun 08
An Albanian, St Albans says...
2:07pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Bob, St Albans says...
6:24pm Fri 6 Jun 08
HCC spokeswoman Ms Judge (great name!) says: "The RIPA powers ensure that when we carry out investigations we do so properly. We operate within the required sanctions and we are externally audited to ensure we are abiding by all the rules." Phew, that's all right then, we can sleep easily at night after all, these officials do it by the book (but they won't tell us who they are watching and why).
I'd like to see the footage of the joyful contract signing ceremony at County Hall when HCC signed away responsibility for vulnerable elderly homecare to a couple of two-bob private companies. No doubt the officers concerned were awarded a pay rise and a bonus.
David, Park Street says...
1:14pm Mon 9 Jun 08
I would love to know what input Local Authorities have into so called 'Anti Terror' activities that is not covered by the Police and security services.
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Liz, St Albans says...
2:03pm Thu 5 Jun 08