In an alarming move “Talking” CCTV cameras that tell off people dropping litter or committing anti-social behaviour are to be installed in 20 areas across England. They are already used in Middlesbrough where anyone seen misbehaving can be told via a loudspeaker, controlled by control centre staff, to stop.
Home Secretary ‘Mad’ John Reid has earmarked nearly £500,000 to fund the expansion.
Critics (including me) say the cameras are absurd and another example of excessive government intrusion into everyday life.
Mad John said they were aimed at “the small minority” who “litter our streets, vandalise our communities and damage our properties”.
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Opponent Steve Hills |
Apart from being absurd, I think it’s rather sad that we should have faceless cameras barking at us 
“We all pay council tax so, in the end, we all pay when our communities are disrespected - both in our pockets as well as in our daily lives,” he said.
The disturbed home secretary said competitions were being held at schools in many of the areas for children to become the voice of the cameras.
“By funding and supporting these local schemes, the government is encouraging children to send this clear message to grown ups - act anti-socially and you will face the shame of being publicly embarrassed,” Mr Reid added.
The talking cameras will be installed in Southwark, in London, Barking and Dagenham, in London, Reading, Thanet, Harlow, Norwich, Ipswich, Plymouth, Gloucester, Derby, Northampton, Mansfield, Nottingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Wirral, Blackpool, Salford, South Tyneside and Darlington.
‘Safer town centre’
In Middlesbrough, staff in a control centre monitor pictures from 12 talking cameras and can communicate directly with people on the street.
Local councillor Barry Coppinger says the scheme has prevented fights and criminal damage and cut litter levels.
“Generally, I think it has raised awareness that the town centre is a safe place to visit and also that we are keeping an eye open to make sure it is safe,” he said.
But opponent and campaigner Steve Hills said: “Apart from being absurd, I think it’s rather sad that we should have faceless cameras barking at us on orders from who? Who sets these cameras up?”
There are an estimated 4.2 million CCTV cameras in Britain. This equates to about 20% of all CCTV cameras on the planet!
A recent study by the government’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner, warned that Britain was becoming a “surveillance society”. Becoming?
Obviously the “Honourable Gentleman” Mr Reid cares nothing for George Orwell’s political satire 1984, it must be a staple read for anyone even thinking of becoming a professional Politician, let alone Home Secretary.
Of course, perhaps his justifications for these monsters are genuine, but he seems to have forgotten or pretends to have forgotten that power given is hard to grasp away save from the hands of the dead. And this power in the hands of the wrong persons will make this country far worse than anything Hitler or Stalin could possibly imagine. Politicians lie and with the aid of these devices they could potentially accuse anyone of any crime they choose. Perhaps I ought to buy myself some blue overalls and have a lobotomy in order to prepare for the inevitable.