Surveillance network investigated
- Published: 14 August 2008 13:07
- Author: Jim Dunton
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 13 August 2008 16:20
A proposed national network to process surveillance checks on rogue traders, fraudsters and fly-tippers could lead to savings.
LGC has learned that the Home Office and the National Anti-Fraud Network are investigating setting up a nationwide service to probe telephone records.
Interception of communications commissioner Sir Paul Kennedy last month said councils could make "much more use" of data such as phone records to identify criminals.
But his annual report recognised the difficulty in keeping staff trained in processes, resulting in breaches of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
The proposed system would allow councils to opt into a scheme run by the National Anti-Fraud Network.
A Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (Lacors) spokesman said the proposals would result in economies of scale for councils that rarely used the powers.
But Lacors chair Geoffrey Theobald (Con) said there was a democratic argument for councils maintaining control of their own investigations.
See the LGCplus report: Councils check on emails
