Big Brother Watch’s power study

Throughout the country 316 authorities have admitted they have a total of 14,793 officers who have the power to enter people’s homes based on more than 1,000 laws.

A total of 115 did not answer.

In Hampshire there are nearly 1,000 such officers with 113 in Test Valley alone – more than any other authority in the county except Basingstoke and Deane and way above the national average of 47.

The information has come to light following a research by campaign group Big Brother Watch, which argues that the results show the citizens’ rights to privacy has been undermined.

Test Valley Borough Council says its scheme of delegation identifies officers who are authorised to use the powers of entry under various legislation.

A spokesman said: “This power is not used as a matter of course and normally we carry out our work with the full co-operation of property owners.

“In some exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary to use this power so that the council can meet its legal obligations.”

Its scheme of delegation can be seen on the Internet at www.testvalley.gov.uk.

Big Brother Watch used the Freedom of Information Act to ask every local council in the country for details on how many of their officers have been given the power to enter people’s homes based on the authorities granted under 1,043 different laws.

In Hampshire, seven authorities have higher than average numbers of officers holding powers of entry, including Test Valley.

Alex Deane, director of Big Brother Watch, said: “Once, a man’s home was his castle.

“Today the Big Brother state wants to inspect, regulate and standardise the inside of our homes.

“Councils are dishing out powers of entry to officers within their council for their own ease, without giving due thought to the public’s right to privacy and the potential for abuse.

He added: “There needs to be a much closer eye kept on the number of officers granted the right to barge into private premises without a warrant.”