Councils to check on emails

Move follows EU directive

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Councils will be among the public bodies able to request email records to crack down on crime from next year.

The move will to extend current powers to request telephone records as part of the implementation of a European Union directive.

However, it comes at a time when local government is being increasingly accused of indulging in unacceptable snooping by the public while being told by industry that it is not using such powers enough.

As LGCplus has reported, Sir Paul Kennedy, the Interception of Communications Commissioner, believes local authorities should make more use of laws introduced in 2004 allowing covert tactics.

The Home Office has launched a consultation on the proposals that would require internet service providers to keep communications records for 12 months.

The government is proposing to cover the extra cost that firms would incur in keeping hold of the data, which some estimates expect to cost several million pounds a year.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said there was a danger the legislation would "soon be used to spy on ordinary people's kids, pets and bins" and not terror plots.

The consultation runs until 31 October and asks if its proposals for operating the scheme are workable and sufficiently clear – as well as whether its plans to finance the work are acceptable.