Sussex councils are facing restrictions on using snooping powers to target “trivial” offences.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today said covert surveillance was justified when combating crimes which carry prison sentences, including fly-tipping and rogue traders as well as serious crime and terror.

But she said they should not be used for trivial matters like putting bins out on the wrong day or dog fouling.

She said: "Our country has a proud tradition of individual freedom. This involves freedom from unjustified interference by the State.

"But it also includes freedom from interference by those who would do us harm.

"The Government is responsible for protecting both types of freedom. In order to do this, we must ensure that the police and other public authorities have the powers they need. But we must also ensure that those powers are not used inappropriately or excessively.

"The Government has absolutely no interest in spying on law-abiding people going about their everyday lives. I don't want to see these powers being used to target people for putting their bins out on the wrong day or for dog fouling offences.”

Last month, it was revealed Hastings Borough Council had used the powers 18 times in the past five years to target dog fouling.

Councillors or senior officials might in future be required to approve their use, under plans set out in a review of changes to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) Act.

Ms Smith added: "I also want to make sure that there is proper oversight of the use of these powers, which is why I am considering creating a role for elected councillors in overseeing the way in which local authorities use RIPA techniques."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said the consultation was "a tacit admission by the Government that its surveillance society has got out of hand".