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Police are to be handed sweeping powers to hack into people's phones and computers and spy on their web-browsing histories under draconian new laws published today.

Home Secretary Theresa May has announced a massive extension of the spying powers originally drawn up to help the security services fight terrorists.

Under the draft version of the Investigatory Powers Bill published last year – dubbed the 'Snooper's Charter' – the most intrusive spying powers would only have been available to spy agencies MI5 , MI6 and GCHQ.

But under a rewritten version unveiled today Mrs May said police should also be allowed to spy on people's internet use as part of their everyday work.

In a move that will dismay privacy campaigners, her new-look 'Snooper's Charter' gives cops the power to spy on people's web browsing history whenever they deem it “necessary” as part of any investigation.

(Image: Getty)

Internet firms like Sky, BT and TalkTalk will be ordered to store every customer's web browsing history for 12 months - in case the police demand to see it.

Cops will also be given the power to hack into phones, tablets, laptops and computers in any situation they believe could prevent injury or death “or damage to a person's mental health”.

Home Office sources said the new powers have been granted following a request from the police.

Mrs May declined to answer questions in the House of Commons today, instead issuing a written statement which claimed the Government “is not seeking sweeping new powers”.

“Rather, the Bill ensures that the security and intelligence agencies and law enforcement continue to have the powers they meed to keep us safe,” Mrs May said.

The new powers will enrage some backbench Tories as well as Labour, Lib Dem and SNP MPs, and are certain to spark a furious row when the Bill comes before the Commons for debate later this month.

Mrs May was eager to stress the extra protections in the new-look Bill, which has been rewritten following heavy criticism.

(Image: Carl Court)

British security services will now be forced to obtain a warrant before asking foreign agencies like the CIA or the NSA to spy on their behalf.

There will be extra protection for journalists and lawyers from cops and spooks spying on their confidential information.