ANTI-TERROR laws are being used to snoop on staff suspected of defrauding Hammersmith and Fulham Council, it has emerged
A Freedom of Information request revealed two council workers were put under 'visual surveillance' in 2008 after the council used the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) to monitor their movements.
RIPA was originally drafted to help police keep tabs on terror suspects, prompting concerns over excessive use of spying from civil liberties groups and Unison - the union representing the borough's council staff.
Cases against the two employees - one suspected of falsely claiming to be too sick to work and the other suspected of benefit fraud - are ongoing.
The council has vowed to continue the controversial practice and has the backing of the Local Government Association which says spying is an essential weapon to fight fraud within local authorities.
Unison regional officer Stuart Barber warned surveillance powers may get out of hand and could lead to "fishing trips" where out-offavour staff are monitored for wrong-doing.
"Such measures must be based on evidence and be proportionate if they are going to be used. But I've already seen examples of London councils putting tracking devices on employees' cars, monitoring emails and telephone conversations and still not bringing any charges or disciplinary action," he added. "Councils have even used CCTV to punish staff for urinating in the street.
"The risk is that this will drive a wedge between staff and their bosses."
The issue comes at a time when relations between council staff and managers in H&F are in turmoil over the introduction of a new contract which changes terms and conditions including sickness pay and working patterns.
Unison is negotiating with the Town Hall but the snooping row is likely to deepen the antipathy between staff and senior managers.
Town halls across the country have faced accusations they are all too readily spying on workers and residents.
Surveillance was used just once in 2005 and 2006 in H&F, but has been deployed 25 times since 2007 to punish anti-social behaviour.
A council spokesman said: "We makes no apology for using RIPA surveillance to investigate those people who are suspected of breaking the law or defrauding the council. We shall continue to use this important tool in order to drive down crime in the borough and we have safeguards in place to ensure that it is used appropriately and proportionately."
