Investigating Powers Act used 56 times by council
Reading Chronicle!
Special powers for covert surveillance have been used 56 times by Reading council since the law allowed it to carry out such investigations.
The full council was questioned by member of the public James Cox on Tuesday and he wanted to know how often it had used the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) for what kinds of investigations and how many had led to conviction and prosecution of other action.
Leader of the council, Councillor Jo Lovelock, revealed there had been 13 investigations into illegal trading,
four into illegal private hire and Hackney carriage vehicles, 18 probes into anti-social behaviour, one into a breach of the Trade Descriptions Act, five into the sale of counterfeit goods, two into unlicensed activity by off-licences, two investigations into overcrowding in houses in multiple occupation, nine into the sale of unfit food and two on the sale of food contrary to a prohibition notice.
She said in all cases the video and photographic evidence were used to prevent or detect crime or to prevent disorder.
Since RIPA came into force 19 successful prosecutions have been brought resulting in fines, deportation of illegal immigrants, seizure of illegal goods and the revocation of licences.
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