Snoop on phone records to spot crime, watchdog urges councils

Councils have been told to snoop on people's telephone records more often by the head of Britain's spying watchdog.

Sir Paul Kennedy, the Interception of Communications Commissioner, said councils could 'make much more use' of their powers.

Direct surveillance was introduced under new laws in 2004, but the Commissioner said only 154 out of Britain's 410 councils used it last year.

He said: 'Very few local authorities have used their powers to acquire itemised call records in relation to the investigations which they have conducted.

'Indeed our inspections have shown that generally the local authorities could make much more use of communications data as a powerful tool to investigate crime.'

The phone records could be used to identify criminals who 'persistently rip off consumers, cheat the taxpayer, deal in counterfeit goods and prey on the elderly and vulnerable', he said.

However, local authorities are allowed to spy on people if they are suspected of 'crimes' such as benefit fraud, skipping work, fly-tipping and dog fouling.

Sir Paul said councils were making 'very infrequent' use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), blaming a lack of staff experience with the Code of Practice.

Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the Local Government Association, defended councils for using their powers to investigate residents' complaints.

He said: 'Without these powers, councils would not be able to provide the level of reassurance and protection local people demand and deserve.'

Councils across the country were criticised last month as it emerged that they used the Act up to 10,000 times a year to investigate petty offences such as dog fouling and under-age smoking.

Figures show that in 2007/08, 23,650 RIPA authorisations were issued to the police – with each authorisation taking up to 13 hours to obtain.

The Tories have pledged to axe the RIPA clearance requirement if they win the next election, to free up police time.

Councils would not require clearance to use automatic number plate recognition software and CCTV on public buildings.

It would also not be required for commissioning covert recording or bugging of a house or car, or using thermal or X-ray surveillance of a building.

Last night a Downing Street spokesman told the Daily Mail: 'Councils must balance the rights of indiviudal citizens with measures taken for their security.'