check that the Public Authorities destroy any data which is not relevant. Errors
which are caused as a result of a breach of the draft Code of Practice by Public
Authorities are fully investigated and the Inspectors ensure that appropriate action
is taken to remedy any faults.
84. From the inspections it is evident that Public Authorities and Law
Enforcement Agencies in particular are making very effective use of
communications data as a powerful investigative tool. Communications data has
provided crucial evidence, which has led to the arrest and conviction of
kidnappers, rapists and paedophiles, and it is regularly used to combat organised
and serious crime. The Police and Communications Service Providers work
closely together to trace vulnerable or suicidal missing persons and this often
results in the saving of life.
Interception successes
85. During the period of this Report, interception continued to contribute to a
number of striking successes. Fully detailed examples have been provided in the
Confidential Annex. I do feel, however, that the public may like to be assured as
to the benefits of this highly intrusive investigative tool particularly in light of the
current debate about whether or not intercept product should be used as evidence
in a court of law.
86. Interception has played a key role in numerous operations including, for
example, the prevention of murders, tackling large-scale drug importations,
evasion of Excise duty, people smuggling, gathering intelligence both within the
United Kingdom and overseas on terrorist and various extremist organisations,
confiscation of firearms, serious violent crime and terrorism. As to be expected,
substantial use was also made of interception and communications data in the
investigation of the bombings in London in July 2005. The product obtained
enabled significant successes to be achieved in the fight against terrorism.
Conclusion
87. I have said in my previous Reports and earlier in this Report that the
Interception of Communications is an invaluable weapon in the continuing battle
against terrorism and serious crime. The work in this field has become ever more
technical and difficult, and will continue to do so. At the conclusion of my period
in office, I would like to stress in this, my last Report, that I have been very
impressed by the care and very hard work which Ministers, the Intelligence and
Law Enforcement Agencies, and the civil servants working in this field, give to
this work to ensure that it is carried out properly and in accordance with the law.
I would also wish to thank them for the help and support that they have given to
me, and their willingness to accept any advice that I may give or criticism that I
may make.
88. I would also like at the end of my tenure to pay tribute to the very hard
working and very loyal staff in the Office of the Interception of Communications
Commissioner.
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