Alarm over 'snooping powers'
MORE than 50 Redbridge Council workers are armed with the power to enter people's homes without the need for a warrant, new data reveals.
They have the authority to walk uninvited into private property using any one of 418 different pieces of legislation covering council officers.
The 56 officers equipped with the powers compares with a local authority average across the country of 47, figures compiled by campaign group Big Brother Watch reveal.
Dylan Sharpe, the group's campaign director, said: "The rising number of local council inspectors able to enter private property is a real cause for concern.
"Although their reasons can often be justified, there is no good reason why Redbridge Council needs 56 different people for the task.
"These officers are unlikely to have had the sort of training necessary for the task and the whole issue represents an unnecessary and worrying intrusion on the public's right to privacy."
In neighbouring Barking and Dagenham, 50 council workers can enter private property without a warrant, while in Havering, 76 staff members are equipped with the powers.
More than a quarter of councils either refused or failed to answer the freedom of information requests.
The campaign group says there are growing concerns that proper vetting and supervision may not be in place for those authorised to enter private homes.
Among the laws which allow uninvited access are the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the Noise Act 1996.
A spokesman for Redbridge Council said: "Powers of entry are only used by qualified staff to the greater benefit of our communities, always in accordance with legislation and council policy, and only when circumstances require it.
"For example, these powers are used to gain entry to licensed premises to ensure they are adhering to their licensing conditions and are also used to ensure alcohol and knives are not being sold to people under the legal age limit through test purchases.
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