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RIPA Policy cabinet report 7.9.26

Committee report · Cabinet · Mon 7 Sep 2026 · Hastings Borough Council · agenda item 7

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This report seeks Cabinet approval of a revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Corporate Policy and Procedure, which governs the council's use of covert investigatory powers such as directed surveillance and covert human intelligence sources. p3

It recommends authorising the Head of Community & Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer, to make future minor administrative, legislative and procedural updates to the policy through annual reviews. p8

It also recommends authorising the same officer to produce a complementary Internet Search and Online Investigations Procedure, to guide officers on the lawful conduct of online investigations. p9

The report states the council rarely uses RIPA powers and only in exceptional circumstances, and that a magistrate has to approve any application to use directed surveillance or a covert human intelligence source before an investigation takes place. p17

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  • p3Executive Summary This report seeks Cabinet approval of the revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Corporate Policy and Procedure. The updated policy ensures that the council maintains a lawful, robust and up-to-date framework for the use of covert investigatory powers, including directed surveillance and covert human intelligence sources (CHIS), where these are required for the prevention or detection of serious crime.
  • p82. Authorise the Head of Community & Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer, to make future minor administrative, legislative and procedural updates to the policy as required through annual reviews.
  • p93. Authorise the Head of Community & Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer, to produce a complementary Internet Search and Online Investigations Procedure to support the requirements of the RIPA Policy and provide officers with guidance on the lawful conduct of online investigations.
  • p173. The council rarely use RIPA powers and only in exceptional circumstances. It is to make sure that officers do not secretly monitor people without a valid legal reason and proper authorisation. If it is considered necessary in the prevention or detection of crime then a magistrate (Justice of the Peace) has to approve an application to use the powers under RIPA of directed surveillance or a covert human intelligence source before any investigation takes place.

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