RIPA policy

Review and renewals

An authorisation is valid for three months from the date of authorisation by the Magistrate. Authorising Officers must conduct a review at an interval reflecting the expected duration of the operation and cancel the authorisation when it is no longer necessary.

Authorising Officers may renew applications to conduct surveillance and renewals will last for a further three months from the date of the original authorisation terminating.

Authorising Officers should note that changes in circumstances to particular cases and any effects that such changes would have on the need for surveillance or the nature of it should be carefully considered. In all cases a note should be made on the renewal form whether it is a first or subsequent renewal.