THE code of practice used by local authorities when undertaking covert surveillance has been revised by the Home Office.

Councillor Peter Fox, leader of the Monmouthshire council said at the authority's cabinet meeting last week:" I need to draw your attention to what is expected from us as councillors to meet the change in rules.

"While a lot of investigation can be carried out by officers using the ever changing face of modern media, Facebook, Twitter and the like, it's the rules regarding covert surveillance that have been amended.

Murray Andrews, the council's monitoring officer told members: "We do have a budget and a list of acceptable items we can purchase under the terms in which we can conduct covert surveillance.

"As an authority we undertake surveillance on car traders, as an example, operating from private addresses and those believed to be committing fraud.

"But Monmouthshire County Council does not quite have the budget of the News of the World and we don't do phone hacking....but we can run to a pair of binoculars."