KIRKLEES Council spied on seven residents last year, according to figures it has revealed.

Surveillance was authorised to investigate four problems of anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance in 2010.

Kirklees also carried out two covert investigations into fly-tipping and one into the operation of an unregistered illegal food business at a private house.

A report to the council’s Cabinet says none of the operations is ongoing.

The use of covert human intelligence sources was not authorised by Kirklees at all last year.

The council’s Cabinet will consider a revised policy for the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) at its weekly meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall on Tuesday.

The Government wants to cut back council surveillance so authorities will only be able to use RIPA surveillance when it is signed off by a magistrate as a way of stopping serious crime.