spies' on the motorways

[papa smurf]

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

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

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

Why is this starting to remind me of East Germany

[colin25]

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

[Taf]

I hope malicious reporting will be severely dealt with.

[Kymmy]

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

[idi banashapan]

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!!!

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

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!!!

i take you've never been in court then ?
its guilty as soon as your names called .

[Derek]

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

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

1. The 'story' is from the Daily Mail who has a vendetta against the Police
2. It doesn't mention anywhere the person will be prosecuted so innocent until proven guilty still exists
3. It's not really a new thing. People phone the Police up all the time to complain their neighbours etc. are driving about like twonks and want the Police to deal with it
4. It's from the Daily Mail!

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....

[fireman328]

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

[Derek]

Originally Posted by fireman328

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

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.

[haydnwalker]

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

[Stuart]

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.

They are made online - with the accused driver never knowing who is responsible.

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.

It is not clear how fellow drivers or pedestrians are supposed to know whether a person behind the wheel has been drinking.

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

[rogerdraig]

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

[Hom3r]

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