Councils told to curb spy tactics

Councils were today urged to stop using surveillance powers for offences such as littering and dog fouling.

Sir Simon Milton, head of the Local Government Association, said town hall leaders risked being stripped of the right to use spying methods.

His warning came amid growing anger at the extent to which the powers - ranging from physical observation to checks on telephone and internet records - are used by local authorities when they were designed to catch fly tippers, rogue traders and benefits cheats.