The idea
Require a warrant from a Judge for invasive surveillance – telephone interception, e-mail interception, bugs etc.
Relax the RIPA controls on overt and relatively un-intrusive surveillence.
Why is it important?
RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) allows chief constables (and others) to approve intrusive surveillance without the need for a search warrant or indeed without any judicial involvement. Additionally, relatively simple measures like taking a photograph in the open by an officer or having an officer follow someone can also require approval.
This seems mad! On one hand there is no judicial control over these intrusive measures which is damaging to civil liberties and on the other we have additional and unnecessary red-tape.
You should fix this!