By Warwickshire Investigation Agency

04/15/2010 The following Acts of Parliament directly affect the use of surveillance in terms of evidence gathering. It is vital that we all have an understanding of the parameters in which we must operate.

Warwickshire Investigation Agency will only ever engage in surveillance based evidence gathering having given consideration to:
Human Rights Act 1998
R.I.P.A 2000
Within the H.R. Act, surveillance is governed by a legal enforcement arm termed RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act , 2000)
Simplified, this act refers to public bodies, who are directly accountable for carrying out surveillance, and puts in place strict guidelines which must be adhered to in order to protect an individuals human rights.

Public bodies are defined as:
• Police
• Customs and Excise
• Inland Revenue
• Institute of Trading Standards
• Environment Agency
• Local Authorities
• Social Services
• Dept. for Work and Pensions
• Or any other body that comes under the public umbrella

For these bodies, non compliance with the strict guidelines would render the surveillance unlawful.


As a yard stick, such bodies must satisfy the following criteria in order to utilise surveillance tactics:

1. Is it lawful?
2. Is it necessary?
3. Is it proportionate?


Warwickshire Investigation Agency will always offer assistance and guidance where required regarding the lawful use of surveillance in the UK.
Criminal Proceedure and Investigations Act (CIPA) 1996
This act governs this issue of trespass relevant to surveillance.