The home secretary has announced plans to stop local authorities employing covert surveillance techniques for trivial purposes.

Jacqui Smith launched a 12-week public consultation to review the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

It will look at which public authorities should be able to authorise key investigatory techniques, such as the use of communications data or covert surveillance in public places, and the purposes for which these techniques should be used.

Raising the rank of the local authority employee authorising the use of the powers contained within the act to senior executive is proposed, as well as exploring whether elected councillors should also play a role in their authorisation. Currently, the rank of the authorising person varies, and councillors play no part in the decision.

The Home Office said many of the investigations that rely on techniques regulated by RIPA are vital to protect public safety, not just for serious crime and terrorism, but also other matters that affect people’s everyday lives. These include stopping rogue traders or trapping people fly-tipping commercial waste. However, the Home Office said there have been cases where the act has been misused, for example to trap people putting their bins out on the wrong day or dog fouling.

Smith said the government has a duty to protect freedom of the individual, which includes freedom from unjustified interference by the state as well as freedom from interference by those who seek to do harm. ‘The government is responsible for protecting both types of freedom. In order to do this, we must ensure that the police and other public authorities have the powers they need. But we must also ensure that those powers are not used inappropriately or excessively.

‘The government has absolutely no interest in spying on law-abiding people going about their everyday lives. I don't want to see these powers being used to target people for putting their bins out on the wrong day or for dog fouling offences.’

Local Government Minister John Healey said: ‘Whether cracking down on rogue traders, loan sharks or fly-tippers, councils are in the front line in tackling some of the toughest problems faced by communities. So it is right they have the powers they need to do this effectively.

‘But these powers must be used in a way that commands the public's confidence and should be used properly and proportionately. This consultation kicks off a clear and open debate about the use of these powers which is central to strengthening confidence in the system.’