COUNCILS across East Lancashire have come under fire for using "snooping" powers meant to tackle serious crime.
Officers have secretly recorded dog-walkers to crack down on dog fouling.
And one authority has angered unions by hiding outside the town hall to check staff aren't sneaking out of work early.
Spotters also wait in parked cars to watch benefits cheats, fly-tippers and to investigate anti social behaviour.
The powers are granted to councils by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which gives them authority to carry out surveillance, including monitoring phone records.
Human rights and privacy campaigners have branded the act a "snoopers' charter" and say the powers are not being used in the right way.
A Home Office spokesman said the purpose of the act was to convict criminals and prevent serious crime.
