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Scottish Surveillance Figures Down

Figures obtained on the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act (Ripsa) have shown that there has been a decline in the use of surveillance powers in Scotland. 

Statistics from local Councils show that Ripsa, which was brought into combat terrorism and serious crime, was being used to monitor drug offences, prostitution, sexual offences and other crimes. The figures come amid criticism that Ripsa is not being used properly, with some councils using the act to monitor underage sun-bed usage and dog fouling.

Necessary Powers

Despite the criticism for the use of the legislation, councils have defended their use of surveillance. Use of the powers can only be approved by a designated person, and when it is considered necessary and proportionate, with the number of operations falling since the legislation was brought in. 

A third of all use of Ripsa came from Dundee Council, with other 130 of the council’s operations relating to noise, with a substantial number in South Ayrshire relating to dog fouling. 

A Dundee council spokesman said: "The city council has carried out procedures within legal guidelines and the appropriate framework."

A spokesperson for Aberdeenshire Council also believed that the legislation was used by the council correctly. A statement said: "The investigations into the supply of diet pills or counterfeit tobacco, for example, were in the interests of public health as well as the fact that their supply constitutes a breach of Trading Standards legislation and is a criminal offence."

Reform Needed

Emma Carr, the director of Big Brother Watch claimed that more reform and accountability was needed to ensure that the legislation was not being used incorrectly. She said: "The public will want surveillance powers to be used when it is right and necessary, necessary and proportionate.

"However, from almost the moment that the legislation was passed, hundreds of public authorities clambered to have access to these incredibly useful powers.

"This, alongside a lack of post-legislative scrutiny over more than 10 years, resulted in these powers being used for arguably less serious crimes."

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