The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) provides a framework for certain public bodies, including local authorities, to use "covert surveillance" to gather information about individuals without their knowledge for the purposes of undertaking statutory functions in connection with the prevention or detection of crime.
RIPA activity and authorisations are governed by Codes of Practice and Guidance issued by the Office for Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) and the Home Office.
Local authorities are also subject to regular inspections from the OSC.
Members are required to review the use of RIPA and set the policy at least once a year. Elected members cannot be involved in decisions on specific authorisations, but have oversight of the process via the reporting requirement to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Decision due: 2 Feb 2016 by Executive Scrutiny Committee
Decision due: 4 Feb 2016 by Cabinet
Contact: Amanda Maxim Email: amanda.maxim@lancashire.gov.uk Tel: 01772 531491.