Uses of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)

RFI - 2610

Thank you for your request for information received on 4th August 2010.
I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act
2000 I have passed your request to relevant colleagues, and we will
respond to your request within 20 working days of receipt.

Regards,

Gemma

Gemma Snowball
Senior Admin Assistant
Chief Executives Office
Corporate Services
0191 211 6574 / x26574

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To Rory Crew

Dear Mr Crew

I refer to your above FOI request which was in the following terms:

"1) How many times has RIPA been used per month in 2010. Who were the
requests made by? 2) For what purposes was RIPA used and were the
investigations successful (Same period)?"

I attach a breakdown of the activities undertaken by the Council under
RIPA authorisations issued during the period 1 January to 31 August 2010.
This provides all the information you seek. You will see it gives a
monthly breakdown, indicates who the investigator/requestor was, the
nature of the alleged problem, the activity authorised and the result.

I might add that whilst in several cases it is noted that insufficient
evidence was obtained to take any enforcement action, this does not
necessarily mean the authorised activity was not "successful". Often in
cases for instance involving allegations of excessive noise, the
recordings taken by a DRD can provide an objective analysis to help
determine whether the complainant's subjective assessment of the noise
levels are correct and whether the actual noise levels are sufficient to
constitute a statutory nuisance. Even where they are found to be
insufficient, the operation can be seen as successful in terms of
clarifying the precise nature and extent of the problem and whether any
action can be taken to deal with it.

I trust this information deals with your request satisfactorily.

If you are unhappy with our response you can ask for an internal review of
our decision. Please send details of your request for review to the
following address: Information Governance Coordinator, Chief Executive's
Directorate, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2BN
Telephone: 0191 277 7666
E-mail: [1][Newcastle upon Tyne City Council request email]

If you are still unhappy with how we have handled your request following
our internal review you can complain to the Information Commissioner.
Contact details are as follows: Information Commissioner's Office,
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
E-mail: [2][email address]

Yours sincerely

Stuart Ovens
Head of Corporate Law

Legal Services, Corporate Services Division, Website address
www.newcastle.gov.uk
Chief Executive's Directorate
Newcastle City Council
Civic Centre Phone
+44 (0)191 2777122
Newcastle upon Tyne Fax +44 (0)191 2777127
NE99 2BN e-mail: [email address]
DX 62552 Jesmond

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References

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