Use of RIPA powers

C. Williams made this Freedom of Information request to Cambridge City Council

The request was successful.

From: C. Williams

27 March 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,

Following recent reports concerning the use of the Regulation of
Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000, I would like to know,
itemised for each year since RIPA was passed:

1) On how many occasions (if any) Cambridge City Council has
conducted an investigation or surveillance operation under the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

2) The type of investigation for which the request
for surveillance was made (or an indication of the criminal offence
evidence of which was being sought by means of the surveillance).

3) The number convictions that were obtained as a result of such
RIPA investigation or surveillance for each of the following
categories of conviction:
a) civil b) criminal

4) The total number of unsecured or failed convictions following a
RIPA investigation or surveillance operation.

5) The total number of requests for each type of surveillance that
have been rejected by an officer of the Council.

Yours faithfully,

C. Williams

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From: Simon Pugh
Cambridge City Council

3 April 2009

Dear Mr Williams,

Thank you for your request, to which I will respond within 20 working days; i.e. by 28 April. I will reply sooner if I can.

Yours sincerely

Simon Pugh
Head of Legal Services
Cambridge City Council

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From: Simon Pugh
Cambridge City Council

13 May 2009

Dear Mr Williams,

I am responding to your request of 27 March for information concerning the Council’s use of RIPA powers. I apologise for the delay in doing so.

The replies to your questions are:

1) On how many occasions (if any) Cambridge City Council has conducted an investigation or surveillance operation under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

The City Council has used RIPA powers on a total of 43 occasions since 2002. The breakdown on an annual basis is:

2002: 1
2003: 2
2004: 6
2005: 11
2006: 11
2007: 9
2008: 3
2009: 0

2) The type of investigation for which the request for surveillance was made (or an indication of the criminal offence evidence of which was being sought by means of the surveillance).

These break down as follows:

2002: Witness harassment/intimidation

2003: Antisocial behaviour (ASB)
Fraud/deception

2004: Vandalism/ASB
ASB/Witness protection
ASB x2
ASB/Vandalism/Arson
ASB/Racial Harassment

2005: ASB/Noise Nuisance/Drug Dealing
ASB x7
Attacks on person and property/Witness Protection
Use of CCTV for count of beggars in the City Centre

2006: ASB x6
Harassment
Racial Harassment
Arson
Fly tipping
Use of CCTV for count of beggars in the City Centre

2007: ASB
ASB/Criminal Damage
Fly tipping x3

2008: ASB/Criminal Damage
ASB/Harassment
Nuisance, intimidation and harassment.

3) The number convictions that were obtained as a result of such RIPA investigation or surveillance for each of the following categories of conviction: a) civil b) criminal

We do not store this information systematically. Use of RIPA is not necessarily directed towards obtaining convictions, as civil remedies may be more appropriate. There are also other means of intervening, especially in relation to anti-social behaviour. Flytipping investigations resulted in one caution being given and, in one case, information being passed to another enforcement agency for action.

4) The total number of unsecured or failed convictions following a RIPA investigation or surveillance operation.

We do not store this information.

5) The total number of requests for each type of surveillance that have been rejected by an officer of the Council.

We do not store this information. We have traced two occasions on which a request has been refused initially, although modified requests have subsequently been approved. But there may have been other occasions on which requests have been rejected.

If I can help any further please let me know.

If you are not happy with the way in which your request has been dealt with please contact Antoinette Jackson, Director of Customer and Democratic Services. ([email address])

You may also contact the Information Commissioner if you are still not happy with the way your request has been dealt with. The Information Commissioner's address is: Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely

Simon Pugh
Head of Legal Services

Legal Services
Cambridge City Council
Guildhall
Cambridge CB2 3QJ

Tel: 01223 457401
Fax: 01223 457409
DX: 5854 Cambridge
Ref: ADVP000548/32082

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