Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022

Public bill · Private Member · Presented

Local authorities would be allowed to put up and run surveillance tools such as fixed CCTV, mobile CCTV and drones in public places to help deter, detect, investigate and prosecute certain local offences, mainly littering and waste offences. It would also let councils receive relevant information, including personal data in some cases, from outside organisations if it is necessary and proportionate for enforcing those offences, with formal data-sharing agreements and safeguards. The bill adds rules on privacy, review, code of practice, evidence use and penalties for tampering with the devices. It matters because it would give councils stronger enforcement tools, but also raises clear questions about monitoring in public spaces and the handling of personal data.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to empower local authorities to authorise the installation and operation of surveillance devices for the purposes of deterring, preventing, detecting and prosecuting certain offences, to provide for exchange of certain data from third party data controllers to local authorities for the purposes of the performance of their functions in relation to such offences, to make certain provision for the purposes of regulating the performance of functions under this Act and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 30 January 2025