Police Cheif Fears "An Orwellian Situation" In Britain

Deputy chief constable of Hampshire Ian Readhead said Britain could become a surveillance society with cameras on every street corner. He fears the spread of CCTV cameras is leading to "an Orwellian situation".

Readhead expressed concerns about CCTV being used in small towns and villages where crime rates were low and whether the relatively low crime levels justified the expense and intrusion.
Mr Readhead also called for the retention of some DNA evidence and the use of speed cameras to be reviewed.

"I'm really concerned about what happens to the product of these cameras, and what comes next?" Readhead said. "If it's in our villages, are we really moving towards an Orwellian situation where cameras are at every street corner? I really don't think that's the kind of country that I want to live in."

I couldn't agree with Readhead more. If not now, when do we draw the line? There are already up to 4.2 million CCTV cameras in Britain which is about one for every 14 people. The UK also has the world's biggest DNA database, with 3.6 million DNA samples on file. Labour will make it mandatory to own biometric ID Cards if it wins the next election. What is next? Will the government decide it is necessary for our safety to implant microchips under our skin or put CCTV cameras in our houses? This may sound far fetched but so did biometric ID Cards or "Talking" CCTV cameras 20 years ago.

Big Brother Strikes Again - Talking CCTV Cameras Scheme Expanded

If you live in Middlesbrough I sympathize as I'm sure you know all about these "talking" CCTV Cameras. I have never had the pleasure of coming into contact with one. In fact, the whole idea repulses me. The Government is taking big brother to an entirely new level. "Talking" CCTV cameras that tell off people for littering or committing anti-social behaviour are to be installed in 20 areas across England. Apparently, these cameras are controlled by the control centre staff who watch then use a loudspeaker to tell anyone misbehaving to stop. Apart from being absurd and an unnecessary expense which Britain can ill afford, is this really the way forward? I have almost come to accept the nearly 4.2 million CCTV cameras watching nearly every move we make as a necessary evil. They did help us find several terrorists. This however, is going too far. Britain will feel more like a regime then a democratic country. The prospect of the future the way this government wants it is horrifying. Faceless cameras from above barking orders at us? ID Cards? Eye Scans at airports? I'm scared, are you?