UK: Tapping figures stay at record levels
01 September 2000
The number of warrants issued in England and Wales for phone-tapping and mail-opening in 1999 was 1,734 - the second highest figure since records began. The highest ever figure was 1,763 in 1998. Both figures are way above the previous top figure of 1,682 in 1940.
The number of warrants for tapping issued in Scotland was 288, the highest ever figure since records were first published in 1967 (there were no warrants in Scotland for mail-opening).
Thus the overall figure for surveillance warrants in England, Wales and Scotland in 1999 was 2,022 (and 2,031 in 1998).
Total figures for warrants issued, England & Wales Scotland
1990-1999:
1990 515 66
1991 732 82
1992 874 92
1993 998 122
1994 947 100
1995 997 138
1996 1,142 228
1997 1,456 256
1998 1,763 268
1999 1,734 288
For the first time the annual report of the Commissioner gives the figures for modifications to warrants issued (usually change of phone numbers) which were 565 in 1999. In addition 77 "authorisations" were given by police forces to intercept "radio pagers". The Commissioner, Lord Nolan, in what is to be his last report, says that the recent increase in warrants is not just because of the perceived increase in serious crime but also "an increased facility to counter it". This is a reference to e-mail interception.
As usual the figures do not include warrants issued by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (RUC and MI5) nor those issued by the Foreign Secretary (MI6 and GCHQ). One change is that now, following devolution, the Scottish First Minister issues warrants regarding serious crime but not those for national security (these pass from the Scottish Secretary to the Home Secretary). Also, as usual, none of the complaints to the Tribunal were upheld.
The Commissioner reports on 23 "errors". One concerning the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) involved "an accredited police reader of intercept material" leaving the log sheet on a train. It was recovered by British Transport Police and the Commissioner reports, with a straight face:
"The envelope containing the log had been opened but the content was intact and there was no evidence it had been read."
Interception of Communications Act 1985, Report of the Commissioner for 1999, July 2000. Cm 4778, £4.45; a full list of yearly warrants issued since 1937 is maintained on: link