HAMPSHIRE councils have used controversial spying powers designed to tackle terrorism in order to catch people committing minor offences, it has been revealed.

Fareham Borough Council came fourth in a nationwide poll of authorities who used the powers that were designed to fight serious crime.

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The council admitted using the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) 240 times in the last five years in order to curb anti social behaviour and as part of a drive to crackdown on underage sales of alcohol to children.

Meanwhile civic chiefs in Southampton have used the powers 86 times in the past five years while New Forest District Council exercised then 67 times. Among the offences the powers were used for were dog fouling, littering, fly tipping and benefit fraud.

Gosport council also used the powers nine times.

Fareham Council leader Sean Woodward has defended his council's use of the controversial powers.

He said: "We never use the powers for frivolous purposes. We use them mainly to catch and prosecute benefit fraudsters. Over the last five years we have used these powers less than once a week.

"The vast majority have been for housing benefit fraud and other benefit fraud."

"It is nothing to do with terrorism. They are for serious crimes. I would question why other local authorities make such little use of these powers when like us they should have zero tolerance of benefit fraud."

Across the country the powers have been used 10,000 times in the past five years figures released to the Liberal Democrats under the Freedom of Information Act has shown.

The government has promised to curb on its use but the Lib Dems have branded the powers a "snoopers' charter".

A survey of more than 180 local authorities found: • 1,615 council staff have the power to authorise the use of Ripa.

• 21% (or 340) of these staff are below senior management grade.

• Ripa powers have been used 10,333 times in the last five years.

• Just 9% of these authorisations have led to a successful prosecution, caution or fixed-penalty notice The Lib Dems are calling on the government to ensure that Ripa powers are only used where strictly necessary and that their use is sanctioned by magistrates.