How councils are tackling 'terrorism'
Councils across the West are known to have used Ripa powers on more than 680 occasions including: Dorset for changing the identity of cattle, illegal movement of cattle and keeping livestock while subject to a lifetime ban, against a person masquerading as a CORGI- registered gas engineer and after a police request to keep records of visits by a suspected drug dealer to a public library.
Mendip used the powers in a case of unauthorised internet use by staff, and in a suspected breach of the Pet Animals Act.
Monmouthshire for dangerous driving in a car park, as well as sale of alcohol, anti-social behaviour and benefit fraud.
North Devon used Ripa on three occasion in relation to fly tipping, and seven times for illegal slaughter.
North Somerset for monitoring employee movement, and unauthorised use of vehicles.
Weymouth had seven cases of noise nuisance, eight of illegal street trading, three employee business practice and one employment dispute.
In Wiltshire trading standards used Ripa powers in 29 cases, while on three occasions they were "for the Department of Children and Education".
But Gedling in Nottingham had the most bizarre use: identifying "those taking fairy lights".
Comments
by Niki Alltree, Bristol
Friday, March 27 2009, 4:12PM
“Terrorism? How many people have been murdered/killed in the UK in the last 2 years from 'Terrorism' I think the answer is, none.
The UK Government states it uses RIPA in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom, national security and anti terrorism.
In reality, the Government enjoys removing the freedom from its people.
In April 2008, it became known that council officials in Dorset put three children and their parents under surveillance, governed by RIPA, at home and in their daily movements to check whether they lived in a particular school catchment area.
How long will the people of the UK put up with such a corrupt government?”