There are more than 1,000 laws and regulations which permit officials to force entry into homes, cars and business premises, a report commissioned by Gordon Brown has found.

The publication of the first comprehensive list of laws available to police, council staff and other inspectors will renew concerns about the erosion of civil liberties.

The dossier, compiled by Lord West, the Home Office minister and former first sea lord, details the often obscure acts and regulations which give the authorities the power to break into homes.

Hundreds of new powers of entry have been created since 1997, including ones relating to illegal gambling, congestion charging, high hedges and weapons of mass destruction.

West’s report details 753 separate “big brother” provisions in acts of parliament and a further 290 minor regulations. A total of 430 of these powers have been approved by parliament since Labour came to power.

The prime minister ordered the report as part of a wider review of the state’s powers. West will now consider which of the laws can be repealed.

The aim is to create a single law governing powers of entry for all state agencies except the police.

POINTS OF ENTRY

In addition to the police investigating crime, state employees may enter your home, shop or car to enforce hundreds of rules, including those relating to:

— Regulations to prevent the spread of avian flu

— The London congestion charge – the cars of nonpayers can be entered

— Laws governing the housing of asylum seekers

— The energy rating of refrigerators for sale in electrical shops

— Rules to prevent the spread of invasive pests from pot plants

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