The Government set the surveillance society bar – are you really that surprised when the local councils follow suit?:

A survey of more than 180 local authorities found:

1,615 council staff have the power to authorise the use of Ripa.

21% (or 340) of these staff are below senior management grade.

Ripa powers have been used 10,333 times in the last five years.

Just 9% of these authorisations have led to a successful prosecution, caution or fixed-penalty notice