Covert surveillance includes the:
- Monitoring, observing, listening to persons, their movements, their conversations or their other activities or communications;
- Recording anything monitored, observed or listened to in the course of surveillance; and
- Surveillance by or with the assistance of a surveillance device.
In addition, it is carried out in a way so that the persons who are subject to surveillance are unaware that it is or may be taking place.
Covert surveillance is covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 at www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts2000/20000023.htm (RIPA) which states that the Council can only carry out covert surveillance in certain circumstances and it must be authorised by designated authorising Officers.
Further information is available from the Office of Surveillance Commissioners at www.surveillancecommissioners.gov.uk/advice_ripa.html
