Local Liberal Democrats have responded to the Government’s consultation on the future of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) by saying that the power given to authorities, like Haringey Council, to snoop on local residents should be reduced.

The RIPA legislation gives many public bodies the authority to investigate local residents using surveillance, undercover officers and the interception of electronic data.

Liberal Democrats believe that the use of the legislation, aimed to stop terrorism and high-level crime, has been abused by local authorities and, in Haringey, has been used to snoop on fly-tippers and other less serious offenders.

Furthermore, they believe that crimes such as drug dealing, gang related violence and serious anti social behaviour which Haringey Council has also justified the use of RIPA powers should be matters for experienced police officers rather than council workers.

Cllr Jonathan Bloch, Liberal Democrat in Muswell Hill and author of books on intelligence and spying, comments:

“Local residents’ civil liberties are seriously threatened by the continued use of RIPA. Councils should not have special surveillance powers to snoop in bins or spy on residents.

“Haringey Council have justified their use of RIPA by saying that they are investigating serious crimes. Whilst perpetrators of these crimes need to be pursued, local councils should leave it to professional police officers who are trained for years to catch criminals.”

Cllr Ron Aitken, Liberal Democrat Crime Spokesperson, adds:

“As Liberal Democrats we believe that our surveillance society should be not allowed to grow further and should be reduced wherever possible.

“Crime fighting should be left to the professionals and even when a council can lend a hand in helping to catch criminals the powers that local authorities have should be subject to checks and balances and used sparingly.”