PSNI, DETI and PONI access 4k messages

The Police Service of Northern Ireland authorised the interception of communications data on 4,768 occasions last year, it’s been revealed.

By Kevin Mullan

Published 26th Jul 2015, 21:04 BST

There were 4,532 recorded applications falling under the aegis of the force.

Across all of the United Kingdom’s public authorities there was an incredible 267,373 applications and 517,236 notices and authorisations for the interception of telephone and computer data last year.

In Northern Ireland the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) recorded 28 applications and 167 notices and authorisations. There were two applications and two authorisations for the Police Ombudsman’s office.

The details were provided by Interception of Communications Commissioner Anthony May in his latest report.