12-09-03 VOSA Seeks Amendment To Powers
VOSA is one of the public authorities listed in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Directed Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Sources) Order 2003 which was laid in the House of Commons by the Home Office yesterday.
The Vehicle Inspectorate was granted powers to undertake directed surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Prescription of Offices, Ranks and Positions) Order 2000. The amendment to the authorisation for directed surveillance included in the new Order is required to reflect the change in the agency’s name following the merger of the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network on 1 April 2003. VOSA is also seeking to add, for operational purposes, the National Intelligence Co-ordinator and Intelligence Officers to the list of those officers with the power to grant authorisations for directed surveillance. The new Order does not give VOSA additional powers to carry out intrusive surveillance. It allows VOSA only to continue directed surveillance as granted under the previous Order.
VOSA is also seeking authority for the use of covert human intelligence sources in order to maintain the effectiveness of its enforcement work. Members of the public or employees of companies who volunteer information about alleged breaches of the regulations are a valuable source of intelligence for the agency. The new legislation does not give VOSA greater powers for intrusion into the activities of commercial operators or MOT testing stations. The legislation will allow the agency to make the best use of any information by bringing the relationship between the giver and receiver within the legislative framework. This will also protect the rights and responsibilities of both the giver and receiver of the information.
VOSA will use the powers for directed surveillance and covert human intelligence sources in accordance with strict internal guidelines and the relevant Codes of Practice, and where such operations are considered to be the only reasonable way to ensure proper investigation of cases where serious breaches of the regulations are suspected.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was created on 1 April 2003 by merging the Former Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network Division of the Department for Transport. VOSA is responsible for:
- Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
- Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
- Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
- Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
- Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
- Providing training and advice for commercial operators
- Investigating vehicle accident, defects and recalls.
Should you require further information about VOSA, its work or help with stories or programming related to road safety and environmental protection please contact: Jay Fordham or Miranda Roberts, VOSA, 0117 954 3334/3233, e-mail jeanette.fordham@vosa.gov.uk / miranda.roberts@vosa.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 25/09/2006