News: UK Environment Agency's use of RIPA Slammed

The Daily Telegraph reports that government officials investigating 'illegal disposal of waste' improperly tracked cars and trespassed on private property under home office advice. The Office of Surveillance Commissioners found evidence of the breeches last year, but the tactics continued to be used until the Environment Agency recently announced a suspension of their use 'pending a legal judgement':

Reports from recent inspections show that “fundamental flaws” were discovered in some of its operations. The surveillance commissioner has also repeatedly raised concerns over the proportionality of the Environment Agency’s operations.
The reports – marked “restricted” - show that in 2007 the Home Office advised officials that “affixing a magnetic device to a vehicle on the public highway” was “not a criminal offence” and “putting an arm into a wheel arch or under the frame of a vehicle is straining the concept of trespass.”

The Environment Agency continues to trial a network of informants and intends to contruct 'a national spy network' the Commissioner reported.