EPPING Forest District Council has used surveillance powers brought in to combat terrorism to investigate its own staff.

Since the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) was brought in in 2000 the council has used it on five occasions- four times to monitor its own officers, and once to look at an issue of anti-social behaviour.

On three occasions the powers were used to mount covert surveillance on three members of staff following allegations of misconduct relating to use of the internet and email.

As a result of the investigation two members of staff were dismissed and one received a final warning.

On another occasion a group of employees were secretly monitored after allegations of misconduct in timekeeping with all the people in question receiving final warnings.

The council also used a hidden camera to monitor a member of the public following allegations of anti-social behaviour, but the investigation was dropped because of “the vulnerability of the potential accused.”

Essex County Council has used the powers on 44 occasions but has so far been unable to tell the Guardian any specific details.

A spokesman said: “Essex County Council is required to comply with this legislation, and on occasion Trading Standards uses ‘covert surveillance’ as a means of gaining information about people acting in the course of a trade or business.”

RIPA was brought into existance to allow Government bodies to carry out surveillance on the grounds of national security, and for the purposes of preventing or detecting crime, but critics have said it is often used inappropriately.

The Liberal Democrats have released figures gained through the Freedom of Information showing that nationwide the act has been used more than 10,000 times.

Lib Dem shadow communities and local Government secretary Julia Goldsworthy said: “Unless RIPA is reformed it risks becoming a snoopers’ charter. Surveillance powers should only be used to investigate serious crimes and must require a magistrate’s warrant.”

• Do you have any information on the council’s use of RIPA? Call the newsdesk on 020 8498 3440.