WALTHAM Forest Council has regularly used undercover surveillance methods during investigations, it has emerged.
A report based on research by Big Brother Watch states the authority has used the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) to investigate 30 cases in the last two years.
Investigations centred on suspected fly-tipping, housing benefit fraud, counterfeit goods, thefts from an employee, anti-social behaviour, offences under the Trade Descriptions Act and selling of age-restricted goods.
However, the report states there was only one prosecution as a result.
Dylan Sharpe, Campaign Director of Big Brother Watch, said: "Although Waltham Forest have used RIPA relatively sparingly in comparison to other councils, the telling statistic is that just one person has been prosecuted as a result of their covert surveillance operations.
"Councils are able to spy on people walking down the street, follow them on CCTV and even pay informants for information.
"Yet, if that person is found innocent, they are never told they were being investigated.
"One thing is clear: councils should not have these intrusive and far-reaching powers."
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