Final answer:
Police powers in Britain have increased through enhanced surveillance capabilities, as seen with the enactment of RIPA 2000 and the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, which has raised concerns over privacy and potential government overreach.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way in which police powers have increased in Britain in the last 30 years is through the expansion of surveillance capabilities. Developments in technology have facilitated a significant increase in the state's ability to monitor individuals through CCTV, phone tapping, and internet monitoring. For example, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) allows various public bodies to conduct surveillance and intercept communications. Similarly, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 expands police powers and duties to monitor potential terrorist activity.
Certain groups consider these increased powers to be a problem because they argue it infringes on individual privacy and civil liberties. For instance, citizens may fear that the government could overreach or misuse these powers, leading to unwarranted intrusions into innocent individuals' private lives. Balancing safety and security with personal freedoms is a contentious issue, with some groups voicing concerns about the potential for the creation of a 'surveillance state' where authorities could abuse their powers.