Lancashire County Council Accused Of Spying.
Lancashire County Council have found themselves facing mounting criticism over their use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
A local newspaper conducted a little investigation of their own when they requested to see how much the council had used the powers since 2004- with some surprising results. It was shown that the council had used RIPA powers to monitor cleaners who didn’t show up for work, a council employed carer who apparently claimed excessive travel costs and people pursuing false injury claims.
Surveillance equipment was also used to snare vandals we defaced a bus shelter.
Defending the use of the act, Lancashire County Council’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, Jim Potts explained:
“We use surveillance only when absolutely necessary to prevent crime.
“For example, we have used them to gather evidence on doorstop salesmen who use intimidating sales techniques, and people who sell counterfeit goods.
“We certainly do not routinely monitor employees in this way or use technology such as covert cameras.
“We have simply recorded that a member of staff has seen another member of staff do something at work, in the way that managers can and do every day.”
In addition to the use of surveillance equipment, RIPA also allows the council to tap and monitor phone calls- which may leave many locals wondering whether there really is such as thing as privacy anymore.