George Orwell was right!

When George Orwell published the searing satire on totalitarianism, 1984. He did not think that his polemic would have any predictive value. Unfortunately he was wrong.

The technology, that was just a dream in the 1940's, is now a reality. CCTV, Speed Cameras, Numberplate recognition, Facial Identification, Cellphone analysis and other advanced technologies are deployed throughout the country as routine.

We now have the most extensive CCTV coverage,and covert surveillance of any country in the world!

Big Brother would have been delighted to get his hands on these toys.

Our politicians are looking for clever new ways to use these sophisticated systems, on which a very considerable amount of money has been spent, to make Money.

When communities demanded connection to the CCTV system, it never occurred to them that they would be used to spy on them. and to make money out of them for bad habits.
The poor victim this time? The motorist!.

They have come up with the plan to use them to fine motorists, or the occupants of vehicles, for littering, even a cigarette butt.

These, 'Crimes against the State', will be detected by CCTV operators of unknown or little experience or qualifications, not properly experienced and trained Police Officers.

Those caught will, weeks later, receive their fine through the post.

Already judged guilty!

What chance of mounting a defence under these circumstances - if not guilty?

This is practically extortion! Demanding money with menaces!

We are sleepwalking into a situation where our councils, which have pretty draconian powers already, have even more powers to abuse.

A good example of this type of abuse (of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) is the recent case where Poole Borough Council were exposed as abusers of this piece of Anti-Terror Legislation. They had used RIPA as legal cover to spy on families who were suspected of the Terrorist Offence of applying for their children to go to school! What on earth is going on?
This is not an April Fool joke but a very serious issue for anyone who values their civil rights.

Some links to get you started:

BBC:
Story Click Here
RIPA Abuse by Poole Borough Council Click Here

The Guardian:
On RIPA abuse by Poole BC Click Here
Is My Council Allowed to Spy on Me? Click Here

The Times:
On Motorist Victims Click Here
On RIPA abuse Click Here

The Home Office:
Home Office Home Click Here
Home Office RIPA Site Click here
Home Office Security Site Click Here

Poole Borough Council Click Here

Liberty Click Here