Issue - meetings
Covert investigation under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
Meeting: 01/03/2017 - Standards Advisory Committee (Item 3)
3 Covert investigation under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 PDF 107 KB
Consider and comment upon the information provided in the report.
Minutes:
Paul Greeno Senior Lawyer presented the report informing the Committee that activity under RIPA legislation concerned
· covert surveillance activity and
· to obtain communications records via the National Fraud Agency.
The Committee heard that:
· RIPA regulations were modified two years ago and covert surveillance may only be undertaken when investigating serious offences having first obtained a magistrates order.
· The Council had made no applications under this legislation in quarters 2 and 3 in 2016/17.
· The officer responsible in relation to the Council’s activity under this legislation is the Corporate Anti-Fraud Manager.
· The Council’s arrangements had been and procedures had been reviewed following consultation with the Information Commissioner.
The following information was also providing arising from Members’ questions:
· RIPA documents are not in the public realm
· No covert investigations were necessary when investigating counterfeit goods as officers used intelligence for their purposes. When investigating retail premises, officers would first seek a warrant.
· The gatekeeper for RIPA activity was the Head of Trading Standards.
· Reports of applications made are provided by National Fraud Agency. The gatekeeper acts as the single point of contact for the Council.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.