Red tape 'deters police spying'

Published on Tuesday 17 July 2007 01:10

POLICE forces are mounting fewer surveillance operations against suspected criminals because of red tape, a watchdog warned yesterday.

Sir Christopher Rose, the chief surveillance commissioner, said he was "concerned" that law enforcement agencies were spying less often.

Under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), spying operations must be authorised by a judge. Some officers say the process is complicated and time-consuming, often holding up investigations.

In 2006-7, law enforcement agencies were given 19,651 "directed surveillance authorisations" for spying operations. That is down from 23,628 in 2005-6 and 25,518 in the previous year.

"I am concerned to learn that the reduction in use of these powers is due, in part, to a lack of investment by some law enforcement agencies in training their officers in RIPA awareness," Sir Christopher wrote in a report.

At the same time, he noted a "significant increase" in the use of surveillance powers by other public authorities, such as local councils.

Such bodies got permission for 12,494 surveillance operations in 2006-7, up from 6,924 the previous year.

Sir Christopher also found that there were 67 "unauthorised surveillance activities" last year. He said that most occurred because "those carrying out the covert procedures have not been told by their managers the terms of the authorisations".