London: 'Talking' CCTV camera scheme grows

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

London, Apr 5: More CCTV cameras are to be fitted with loudspeakers to allow security staff to berate people spotted dropping litter, fighting or vandalising property, the government said.

Home Secretary John Reid hopes the shouting cameras will help cut crime, but critics say the idea is another lurch towards Britain becoming a ''surveillance society''.

The government has given nearly 500,000 pounds to pay for the new cameras in 20 areas after trials around the country.

Council staff monitoring pictures from cameras will be able to talk directly to anyone suspected of anti-social behaviour.

''Talking CCTV is another tool in creating safer communities,'' Reid said in a statement yesterday. ''It uses modern technology to allow camera operators to speak directly to people on the streets to stop or prevent them acting anti-socially.'' Louise Casey, a civil servant who co-ordinates the government's Respect campaign to tackle bad behaviour, said people could ''face the shame of being publicly embarrassed.'' ''Talking CCTV is aimed at the small minority who think it is acceptable to litter our streets, vandalise our communities and damage our properties,'' she said.

Council chiefs in Middlesbrough, where the cameras have already been installed, said they had helped cut littering, vandalism and fights.

''Middlesbrough's cleanliness has improved dramatically since the speakers have been installed,'' said council security manager Jack Bonnar.

Civil rights group Liberty has described the new cameras as a ''high-tech toy (that) gives camera operators massive powers to invade the lives of ordinary people''.

Britain is the most watched country in the world, with an estimated 4.2 million CCTV cameras, or one for every 14 people.

The government already faces accusations that planned identity cards and a national computer database of personal details will increase state intrusion into people's lives.

The privacy watchdog warned last November that Britain was turning into a ''surveillance society''.

''More and more information is being collected,'' said Information Commissioner Richard Thomas. ''Humans must dictate our future, not machines.'' Liberal Democrat party leader Menzies Campbell accused the government earlier this year of ''snooping'' into every part of people's lives.

Reuters

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