Britain To Put CCTV Cameras Inside Private Homes

edited August 2009 in conversations
As an ex-Brit, I’m well aware of the authorities’ love of surveillance and snooping, but even I, a pessimistic cynic, am amazed by the governments latest plan: to install Orwell’s telescreens in 20,000 homes.

£400 million ($668 million) will be spend on installing and monitoring CCTV cameras in the homes of private citizens. Why? To make sure the kids are doing their homework, going to bed early and eating their vegetables. The scheme has, astonishingly, already been running in 2,000 family homes. The government’s “children’s secretary” Ed Balls is behind the plan, which is aimed at problem, antisocial families. The idea is that, if a child has a more stable home life, he or she will be less likely to stray into crime and drugs.

It gets worse. The government is also maintaining a private army, incredibly not called “Thought Police”, which will “be sent round to carry out home checks,” according to the Sunday Express. And in a scheme which firmly cements the nation’s reputation as a “nanny state”, the kids and their families will be forced to sign “behavior contracts” which will “set out parents’ duties to ensure children behave and do their homework.”

And remember, this is the left-wing government. The Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling, batting for the conservatives, thinks these plans are “too little, and too late,” implying that even more obtrusive work needs to be done. Rumors that a new detention center, named Room 101, is being constructed inside the Ministry of Love are unconfirmed.
- wired.com

Comments

  • edited 2:12PM
    "sunday express"
  • edited 2:12PM
    i'm sure i read that the CCTV's had little, if any, impact on crime statistics. ;) not that logic enters into these things.
  • edited 2:12PM
    Oh I saw this yesterday and meant to post - no great surprise!

    Reminds me of the chinese and all the stuff they are apparently doing with embedding stuff in PCs sold in their (police) state
  • edited August 2009
    mick said...i'm sure i read that the CCTV's had little, if any, impact on crime statistics. ;) not that logic enters into these things.
    Yes, but it gives the TV companies hours of cheap scheduling :happy: :awkward:
  • edited 2:12PM
    as the express is gutter rag tabloid, i've little doubt that it's a sensationalised story with only it's small toe in the land of truth.
  • edited 2:12PM
  • edited 2:12PM
    They would be better off putting them in Parliament......Everyone knows that's where all the criminals and scroungers that are ruining our country hang out....
  • edited 2:12PM
    Very cool, job security for me should this catch on over here.
  • edited 2:12PM
    compelman said...They would be better off putting them in Parliament......Everyone knows that's where all the criminals and scroungers that are ruining our country hang out....
    LOL :D
  • edited 2:12PM
    So I get a camera up my ass? "Everyone knows that's where all the criminals and scroungers that are ruining our country hang out...."
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