Safeguards strengthened for surveillance powers

We have already significantly strengthened the safeguards for using surveillance powers. From November local authorities will no longer be able to use covert surveillance for trivial offences and will need the approval of a magistrate before using any Ripa power. The use of Ripa is subject to oversight by independent commissioners and we will continue to work with them and organisations using Ripa to make clear it should only be used when necessary and proportionately.