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Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act

Local authorities will now need a higher level of authorisation to sign off investigatory techniques.

A senior executive will have to approve how and when the techniques are used to protect the public and fight crime.

Under the new measures, elected councillors in each local authority will also be required to oversee the use of RIPA.

Serious cases RIPA is used to investigate include:

• organised crime
• terrorism
• rogue traders
• fly tippers who dump tonnes of rubbish on an industrial scale

Policing Minister David Hanson said: "There is no doubt that a wide range of public authorities need to be able to authorise surveillance under RIPA in order to protect us from those who would do us harm.

"But it is equally clear that public authorities must respect our right to privacy and only use techniques under RIPA when it is necessary and proportionate to do so."

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