spies' on the motorways
 

Police are asking motorists to spy on each other for examples of poor driving in an alarming new extension of the 'Big Brother' state.
Drivers are told to be on the look out for inconsiderate driving or anybody making 'excessive noise' with their car.
Detailed reports - which critics warn could easily be malicious accusations against neighbours - are submitted to the police, who log extensive details on a huge computer database.
The details are also checked against DVLA databases and the Police National Computer.




Anybody who is reported twice in 12 months faces police action - despite never being caught breaking the law.
Officers say they can be considered 'repeat offenders'.
The action could involve a warning letter or even a knock on the door from a police officer.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz0zsqz651D

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

Why is this starting to remind me of East Germany

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

This seems pointless, unless the plan is that if they "possibly" offend in one area, they are likely to be offending else wise (re tax discs etc.)

Not an issue, they can report all they like..unless evidence, not a possibility of being prosecuted for anything.

The main danger is that this will bring out pettiness, and cause more people to begrudge the police. I would have thought this was an unwise policy..but...who am I :)

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

I hope malicious reporting will be severely dealt with.

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

Do you actually think that this is a new thing?? Crimestoppers has been going for years and long before that people have always been encouraged to report any crime ti a local police station..

I believe though that for traffic offences they need at least two independant non-official witnesses to be able to prosecute

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

doesn't this just give the opportunity of someone with a personal vendetta against someone to get them done for something they quite possibly did not do? other than Joe Blogg's word, what proof is there?

'innocent until proven guilty', my arse!!!

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

Amusingly, this article in the Mail about "spies on the motorway" is only three days after this article in the Mail, where they (the Mail) photographed drivers on the M25.

The phrase "hypocritical bar-stewards" does spring to mind....

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

I think it is beacause of all the cops going to be made redundent soon.

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

Cops cannot be made redundant.
If they want to do that they'll need to switch us to being regular employees instead of being servants of the crown and give us the protection and benefits that entails.

Policemen out on strike anyone?

Anyway back on topic I think it shows the hypocrisy some people have with regards to traffic laws. If the police asked people to phone them with regards to drug dealing etc. then it's fine, no allegations of big brother there.
The minute it's a traffic offence then it's terrible, encouraging spying, snooping and all that.

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

I have previously reported non-insured/taxed drivers to the police & DVLA...after all its those people that put our premiums up!

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

At first reading. I was horrified by this. When I thought about it, however, I don't see that this is any different to any one of a number of situations where we are actively encouraged to report people for anything ranging to shouting too loud to buying the wrong kind of shopping. Remember those "Anti terrorism" ads that promoted spying on your neighbours?

I love this quote from the Mail.
As if the Police ever tell anyone who is responsible for the complaint made against them. The Police couldn't, as it could result in serious consequences for the person making the complaint.

Perhaps if they are driving erratically, or are clearly driving too carefully? Sticking to the centre of the road? There's three ways.

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

i dont have a problem with people reporting things though i can see a problem in data protection if the information is kept for very long

could have the same efect for the police in making enough paper work to prove theycant be cut

but not as good as the one the tax people came up with lol now that is how you make sure your in tray is full of to do stuff

Re: spies' on the motorways
 

Just report any BMW or Merc driver, they all drive without a brain cell between them :D