Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

 The Forest of Dean District Council has been delegated functions by statutes which include the enforcement of regulatory provisions, e.g. enforcement of breaches of planning control, enforcement of caravan sites licensing conditions, statutory nuisance, etc. Many breaches of regulatory provisions can result in criminal-style prosecutions and it is in this context that the Council has been given powers to use Covert Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Sources under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

The Councils powers relate only to the prevention and detection of crime and do not relate to information gathering to form the basis of a decision to issue any abatement notice, planning contravention notice, or planning enforcement notice, etc.

To ensure strict controls over the use of its powers the Council has adopted a RIPA Policy which must be followed at all times. 

For further information on RIPA please see the following useful contacts:

Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services

Association of Council Secretaries and SolicitorsOffice of the Surveillance Commissioner

Home Office