Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Annual Report 2019
means gaining sufficient knowledge and experience would be difficult. Secondly, we can
oversee all CD acquisition through a single, annual inspection of NAFN. This means that
we can be assured that there is consistency of approach and that any recommendations or
observations we make are applied nationally from the centre.
14.19
During 2019, NAFN processed 173 applications from only 65 local authorities indicating
less than a half of those authorities who could seek to use CD did so. To address this
and provide training and explanation of the changes brought about by the IPA, NAFN
held a series of national roadshows at which presentations were given by our Judicial
Commissioners (JCs) and Inspectors to emphasise the requirements of the Act and explain
more about our inspection and oversight functions. As the circumstances in which CD can
be sought by councils have widened, albeit only in accordance with an increased threshold
of crime for events data,47 we expect that applications for CD by local authorities will
increase significantly during 2020 to supplement their use of RIPA powers.
14.20
Our annual inspection of NAFN identified a very good standard of process and quality
assurance. During the inspection we examined application and acquisition records,
supplemented by interviews with key NAFN staff such as the SPoC team, managers and
legal advisors. We made no recommendations at NAFN for the second year running.
Figure 18: Communications data items by individual (subject), 2019
Associate
24
Suspect
1,340
Next of kin
0
Vulnerable person
(other than victim)
0
Witness
5
Complainant
0
Victim
10
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
47 Communications data that is wholly or partly events data may only be sought for the purpose of preventing
serious crime. Entity data may be sought for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or preventing
disorder. A local authority may not obtain internet connection records for any purpose.
109