Local councils are being given fresh encouragement to use terror laws to spy on residents, according to the Metro.

The laws were originally brought in to access private phone bills and e-mails to catch bombers but increasingly authorities have used them to catch more low-key criminals.

Now Sir Paul Kennedy, Interception of Communications Commissioner, has said councils could make much more use of the legislation in his annual report.

Use Freedom of Information powers to find out what and who your local council is spying on.