Surveillance society

Powers designed to prevent crime and terrorism are being used by middle managers in local councils to spy on thousands of people suspected of petty offences. Keith Vaz, chair of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, says he is shocked by the numbers involved in surveillance by the local authorities. He calls for proper accountability and transparency in the way the powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act are used. The committee, which is due to release a report on its investigation into the surveillance society, is expected to call for the Home Office to issue guidelines to councils on the type of operations in which surveillance can be used.