Explanatory note

This Order brings into force the revised Code of Practice prepared under section 71 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (the 2000 Act). The purpose of this Code is to set out guidance relating to the carrying out of covert surveillance under Part 2 of the 2000 Act and to interference with property or wireless telegraphy under section 5 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 and Part 3 of the Police Act 1997.

Under section 72(1) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, a person exercising any power or duty in relation to which provision may be made by a Code of Practice under section 71 must, in doing so, have regard to the code’s provisions (as far as applicable).

The revised codes are laid before Parliament with this Order. A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this Order as no impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.

The Code of Practice will be published by the Stationery Office and copies may be obtained from them directly (online or from their bookshops). The revised Code of Practice will also be available on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Codes of Practice pages of the gov.uk website.