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This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (c. 23)'.

1.  Directed Surveillance:  
 
87 authorisations have been approved in total since 2000.  
No requests have been refused, however certain applications were amended before authorisation was granted.  
Public authorities may not use intrusive surveillance. 
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed that they have not used RIPA powers. 
 
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act – Directed Surveillance Authorisations – Non-Trading Standards 
 
No. in 
Date of 
Department/Directorate  Type of Request 
Reason/Purpose 
Register Authorisation  making application 
 
1 23.10.03 
County 
Facilities  Surveillance 
Observation of kitchen staff to 
Management 
ascertain whether food is being 
taken 
2. 
05.11.02 
ICT 
Investigation of PC 
To ascertain the extent of private 
use of computer 
3. 16.03.05 
County 
Facilities  Surveillance 
Observation of kitchen staff to 
Management 
ascertain whether thefts were 
taking place 
4. 
07.06.06 
Children, Young People  Surveillance 
To gather evidence of contact 
& Families 
within Care Proceedings 
5. 
30.06.08 
Children and Families 
Surveillance of private 
Intelligence suggested breach of 
address 
Court Order relating to child 
protection 
 
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act – Directed Surveillance Authorisations – Trading Standards 
 
No. in 
Date of 
Department/Directorate  Type of Request 
Reason/Purpose 
Register Authorisation  making application 
 
1. 
19.06.01 
Trading Standards 
To record poster details 
To conduct an audit of rates quoted 
and conversations re: 
and compliance with the code of 
pre-paid phone cards 
practice. 
2. 15.08.01 
Trading 
Standards 
Surveillance 
of shop 
Intelligence suggested selling 
counterfeit goods 
3. 
26.09.01 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchase  - private DVDs 
4. 
16.10.01 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance in shops 
Test purchases regarding sales of 
cigarettes, fireworks and videos to 
underage children. 
5. 
18.02.02 
Trading Standards 
Tape recording telephone  To ascertain if advertised price is 
conversations 
actual price. 
6. 12.03.02 
Trading 
Standards 
Surveillance of trader 
Intelligence suggested breaches of 
selling goods at local 
consumer protection laws 
hotel 
7. 
22.03.02 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of individual 
To ascertain identity and check 
trade description issues 
8. 
24.09.02 
Trading Standards 
To record phone 
Checks on full services of cars to 
conversations  
see what is covered and what is 
done 
9. 11.03.03 
Trading 
Standards 
Surveillance of individuals  False trade descriptions, 
and vehicles 
misleading pricing 
10. 28.04.03 Trading 
Standards Surveillance of individual 
Counterfeit goods 
to establish identity and 
where stocks are kept 
11. 
28.07.04 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of 
To establish whether transactions 
transactions 
are illegal – imperial weights. 
12. 
27.05.05 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of trader 
To identify address re: counterfeit 
DVDs. 
13. 03.08.07 Trading 
Standards Assist an investigation 
Establish likely timing of possible 
future offences. 
14 
11.10.07 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of individual 
Alleged illegal sales and storage of 
fireworks. 
15 
31.07.08 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance on location 
To identify a rogue trader obtaining 
money from a vulnerable person 
16. 
29.10.08 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance on individual 
Alleged illegal sales and storage of 
fireworks. 
17. 
30.10.08 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of individual 
Alleged illegal sales and storage of 
fireworks. 
18. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shops 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
19. 
18.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
20. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
21. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
22. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
23. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
24. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
25. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
26. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
27. 
16.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
28. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
29. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
30. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
31. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
32. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
33. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
34. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
35. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
36. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
37. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
38. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
39. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
40. 
30.01.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of alcohol 
41. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
42. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
43. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
44. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
45. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
46. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
47. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
48. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
49. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
50. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
51. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
52. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
53. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
54. 
13.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
55. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
56. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
57. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
58. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
59. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
60. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
61. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
62. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
63. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
64. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
65. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
66. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
67. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
68. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
69. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
70. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
71. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
72. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
73. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
74. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
75. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
76. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
77. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
78. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
79. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
80. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
81. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of shop 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
82. 
16.02.09 
Trading Standards 
Surveillance of car boot 
Test purchasing of underage sales 
of knives 
 
 
In 2009, Oxfordshire County Council granted 64 authorisations under RIPA for directed surveillance. All of these relate to Trading 
Standards activities concerning test purchasing by young people of age restricted products (e.g. alcohol or knives). New guidance on 
the operation of RIPA was issued by the Office of Surveillance Commissioners in December 2008. In light of this guidance, Oxfordshire 
County Council currently records test purchasing by young people under RIPA. However please note that this practice is not followed at 
all councils.  
 
The new guidance of December 2008 also requires public authorities to authorise per premises rather than per operation. This changed 
recording method accounts for the apparent steep increase in use of these powers whereas in fact there has been no major change in 
level of activity under RIPA. 
 
2.  CHIS – Covert use of a Human Intelligence Source 
 
In the financial year 2007/08 the relevant officer within Oxfordshire Trading Standards granted one authorisation under RIPA to use 
Covert Human Intelligence Services (CHIS). This is shown at row 13 above. The purpose was to assist an investigation into the alleged 
current activities of a known offender. The nature of the task to be undertaken by the source was to obtain intelligence for use within 
that investigation. 
 
 
Before the financial year 2007/08, there are no recorded uses of CHIS. 
 
3. Communications data 
 
 
Requests for authorisations for acquisition of communications data relate to Trading Standards only. 
 
The table below details 34 requests for communications data by Trading Standards. Please note that more than one request can be 
made in relation to a single investigation and more than one request can be made for the same data if the telecommunications 
company concerned resold the facility to another company. 
 
 
Date Sent 
Information Requested 
Type of Incident under 
Notice reference  
Investigation  
1 
13/04/06 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2006/OCC/TSS/01 
2 
13/04/06 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2006/OCC/TSS/02 
3 
18/04/06 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2006/OCC/TSS/03 
4 
26/10/06 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2006/OCC/TSS/03N1 
5 
05/12/06 
Name and Address of Subscriber Car 
clocking 
2006/OCC/TSS/04N1 
6 
05/12/06 
Name and Address of Subscriber Car 
clocking 
2006/OCC/TSS/04N1 
7 
05/12/06 
Name and Address of Subscriber Car 
clocking 
2006/OCC/TSS/04N2 
8 
31/01/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
False trade descriptions 2007/OCC/TSS/01N1 
9 
31/01/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
False trade descriptions 2007/OCC/TSS/01N1 
10  31/01/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
False trade descriptions 2007/OCC/TSS/01N2 
11  31/01/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
False trade descriptions 2007/OCC/TSS/01N2 
12  31/01/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
False trade descriptions 2007/OCC/TSS/01N2 
13  27/02/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
False trade descriptions 2007/OCC/TSS/01N3 
14  02/08/07 
Name/Address/Subscriber & Acc details Counterfeiting 2007/OCC/TSS/02N1 
15  03/09/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2007/OCC/TSS/03N1 
16  19/10/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2007/OCC/TSS/04N1 
17  19/10/07 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2007/OCC/TSS/04N2 
18  17/01/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2007/OCC/TSS/05N1 
19  17/01/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2007/OCC/TSS/05N2 
20  17/01/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2007/OCC/TSS/05N3 
21  06/02/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2007/OCC/TSS/05N5 
22  04/04/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2008/OCC/TSS/01N1 
23 11/04/08 
Subscriber 
Details/contact person. Payment bank 
Internet domain name scam/ false  2008/OCC/TSS/02N1 
details/trading names associated with nos. 
trade descriptions 
24 11/04/08 
Subscriber 
Details/contact person. Payment bank 
Internet domain name scam/ false  2008/OCC/TSS/02N1 
details/trading names associated with nos 
trade descriptions 
25 21/04/08 
Subscriber 
Details/contact person. Payment bank 
Internet domain name scam/ false  2008/OCC/TSS/02N2 
details/trading names associated with nos 
trade descriptions 
26 21/04/08 
Subscriber 
Details/contact person. Payment bank 
Internet domain name scam/ false  2008/OCC/TSS/02N2 
details/trading names associated with nos. 
trade descriptions 
27  01/08/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2008/OCC/TSS/03N1 
28  06/08/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
Website failing to include required 
2008/OCC/TSS/04N1 
information 
29  08/08/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
Website failing to include required 
2008/OCC/TSS/04N2 
information 
30  18/08/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber Doorstep 
crime 2008/OCC/TSS/05N1 
31  19/08/08 
Subscriber details and billing Doorstep 
crime 2008/OCC/TSS/06N1 
32  19/08/08 
Subscriber details and billing Doorstep 
crime 2008/OCC/TSS/06N2 
33  24/12/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
Doorstep crime 
SPDS 743/1 
34  24/12/08 
Name and Address of Subscriber 
Doorstep crime 
SPDS 744/1