WARRINGTON Borough Council uses anti-terrorism legislation to track down benefit fraudsters.
This has emerged following a question put by Tory councillor Paul Kennedy at a meeting of the council.
He asked if the council has used it powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
He was told there are two types of covert surveillance – directed and intrusive.
The council had used its powers on 172 occasions – but only for directed surveillance, which involved following a suspect. It had never used intrusive surveillance – or “bugging.”
The majority of occasions – 147 – had involved suspected benefit fraudsters. The other 25 had involved other illegal activities such as selling fireworks to juveniles and fly-tipping.
Coun Kennedy asked if in future, such actions could be discussed beforehand with the leader and deputy leader of the council and this was agreed.
Afterwards, Coun Kennedy said RIPA was a piece of anti-terrorism legislation.
He did not criticise the council for uses such as tracking down benefit fraudsters.
Anti-terrorism laws used by council
00 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
