Proposed Surveillance Technique for Police

[JohnC]

I had this sent to me .     http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/23/cctv-sky-police-plan-drones?CMP=AFCYAH

[martinastro]

Very interesting link John, I recall seeing one of those over here several times in earlier years. Wouldn't mind seeing them again to be honest 

[JohnC]

I didn't realise they were in operation already, we'll be, if not already with CCTV , the most 'watched' people in the world.

[brianb]

we'll be, if not already with CCTV , the most 'watched' people in the world.

We already are. There's no evidence whatsoever that this actually increases security.

This proposed system is a complete waste of money.

What is needed is a few real policemen (and women) on the streets where they can deal, hopefully intelligently, with situations before actual law breaking takes place.

[JohnC]

Can't disagree with that, Brian . I can see it being useful for  particular operations  (especially in rural areas) but not general surveillance.  I just wish they'd let the police get on with policing instead of form filling,ticking boxes so the government can have answers when minority groups complain of harassment. Also, they're  taking on more and more of the Community bobbies at a starting salary of £17,000 a year and in some counties here they aren't allowed to work nights.  I can't recall when I last saw  a bobby  on the beat- in cars,yes, but not on the beat talking and intelligence gathering but whose fault is that ? I could go on and on about all this but that will do for now Lol.

[JohnC]

Lol..The West Midlands police put one of these 'copter '  surveilklance things up the other day and had to ground it because they didn't have LA authorisation . First time out they caught a car thief by following him around the houses as he fled. It's controlled by an officer on the ground similar to  a remote for            model planes. It has 3 sets of cameras.

[brianb]

Lol..The West Midlands police put one of these 'copter '  surveilklance things up the other day and had to ground it because they didn't have LA authorisation

Except it was Merseyside police ... and the authorization required is Civial Aviation Authority, not local government ... As Nelson Muntz would say, "Har har".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/8517726.stm

There are perfectly good reasons why flying objects in the vicinity of people, buildings and air traffic lanes should require proper authorization. And ignorance of the law is no excuse, not even for police officers. I don't understand why the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police isn't doing time for allowing a criminal breach of the Air Navigation orders.