When does Graffiti become an issue of National Security? (Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats)

Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats <info@hflibdems.org.uk>

When does Graffiti become an issue of National Security?

April 20, 2009 10:06 PM

Anti-Terrorist Laws have been used to by Hammersmith and Fulham Council more than 40 times in 5 years to carry out secret surveillance.

On at least two occasions, council officials used the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) legislation to deal with graffiti, despite the fact that the law was passed by parliament to deal with serious crime and national security risks. Seven of the cases investigated using the Act (which curtails people's right to privacy in the interests of National Security) concerned disorderly behaviour and breaches of the Licensing Act, and it as also been used to investigate fly-tipping and breaches of food safety.

In not one single case has the use of these secret surveillance powers by Hammersmith and Fulham Council led to a successful prosecution, or caution, or even an ASBO.

The figures were revealed in a reply to a Freedom of Information request by Liberal Democrat MP Julia Goldsworthy.

Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for Hammersmith Merlene Emerson says " When the controversial legislation was first brought in, it was intended to empower primarily the police and security services. However many councils including H&F Council and their senior management have used the discretionary powers given to them to snoop on their own residents. This just goes to show how little regard they have for our civil rights and liberties. "

The Liberal Democrats are campaigning to introduce safeguards which will balance the need for National Security legislation with the protection of liberties enjoyed in this country since Magna Carta was sealed 794 years ago. The Freedom Bill proposed by the Liberal Democrats would amend RIPA to require magistrates to authorise surveillance, and would allow this only to deal with serious crimes.