Snooping councils under review
Updated on 17 April 2009
Councils will no longer be able to use surveillance powers to target people for things like putting their bins out on the wrong day, or letting their dogs foul on the street.
The Home Office has started a review of the way councils in England, Wales and Scotland use the power to spy on people, and they could be forced to get government approval to use it.
But some ministers say it's important for councils to be able to investigate people for serious offences like fly-tipping or anti-social behaviour.
