'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders'

lolarobot · 05-16-2009, 02:24 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6524495.stm WATCH CAMERAS IN ACTION.

"Talking" CCTV cameras that tell off people dropping litter or committing anti-social behaviour are to be extended to 20 areas across England.
They are already used in Middlesbrough where people seen misbehaving can be told to stop via a loudspeaker, controlled by control centre staff.

About £500,000 will be spent adding speaker facilities to existing cameras.

Shadow home affairs minister James Brokenshire said the government should be "very careful" over the cameras.

Home Secretary John Reid told BBC News there would be some people, "in the minority who will be more concerned about what they claim are civil liberties intrusions".

"But the vast majority of people find that their life is more upset by people who make their life a misery in the inner cities because they can't go out and feel safe and secure in a healthy, clean environment because of a minority of people," he added.

The talking cameras did not constitute "secret surveillance", he said.

"It's very public, it's interactive."

Competitions would also be held at schools in many of the areas for children to become the voice of the cameras, Mr Reid said.

Downing Street's "respect tsar", Louise Casey, said the cameras "nipped problems in the bud" and reduced bureaucracy.

"It gets across the message, 'please don't litter our streets because someone else will have to pay to pick up that litter again'," she told BBC News.

"Half a billion pounds a year is spent picking up litter."

'Scarecrow policing'

Mr Brokenshire told the BBC he had a number of concerns about the use of the talking cameras.

"Whether this is moving down a track of almost 'scarecrow' policing rather than real policing - actually insuring that we have more bobbies on the beat - I think that's what we really want to see, albeit that an initiative like this may be an effective tool in certain circumstances.

"We need to be very careful about applying this more generally."

The talking cameras will be installed in Southwark, Barking and Dagenham, in London, Reading, Harlow, Norwich, Ipswich, Plymouth, Gloucester, Derby, Northampton, Mansfield, Nottingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Wirral, Blackpool, Salford, South Tyneside and Darlington.

In Middlesbrough, staff in a control centre monitor pictures from 12 talking cameras and can communicate directly with people on the street.

Local councillor Barry Coppinger says the scheme has prevented fights and criminal damage and cut litter levels.

"Generally, I think it has raised awareness that the town centre is a safe place to visit and also that we are keeping an eye open to make sure it is safe," he said.

But opponent and campaigner Steve Hills said: "Apart from being absurd, I think it's rather sad that we should have faceless cameras barking at us on orders from who? Who sets these cameras up?"

There are an estimated 4.2 million CCTV cameras in Britain.

A recent study by the government's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner, warned that Britain was becoming a "surveillance society".

**WereBo** · 05-16-2009, 08:56 PM

Well, the 'Powers-that-be' have got to keep the 'sheeple' in line.....

lolarobot · 05-17-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WereBo

Well, the 'Powers-that-be' have got to keep the 'sheeple' in line.....

But, if the sheeple are misbehaving and costing the city 1/2 billion dollars per year to pick up the litter and misbehaving and this is cheaper, then maybe it is a good idea, yes?

**WereBo** · 05-17-2009, 10:59 AM

Hi lolarobot, nice to see you back again

A fair number of towns and cities here are starting to use minor offenders, who received a 'Community Service' sentence, to pick up litter etc. Also, the street-cleaners who push brooms around the streets are employed in needed and meaningful work, however 'lowly' it appears.

With so much 'Official Monitoring' being done, whether by Local Councils or Governmental, a lot of people here are starting to resent yet more intrusion by what's become a 'Nanny-State'.

lolarobot · 05-17-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WereBo

Hi lolarobot, nice to see you back again

A fair number of towns and cities here are starting to use minor offenders, who received a 'Community Service' sentence, to pick up litter etc. Also, the street-cleaners who push brooms around the streets are employed in needed and meaningful work, however 'lowly' it appears.

With so much 'Official Monitoring' being done, whether by Local Councils or Governmental, a lot of people here are starting to resent yet more intrusion by what's become a 'Nanny-State'.

Yes, it is unfortunate, but possibly necessary. "Nanny" is indicative of child-like behavior, such as littering and misbehaving, and should therefore be treated as such, right? I hate it too, but I would also hate paying more taxes for alternative methods that were less invasive. Plus, if you think about it, for those of us who do not litter or act like kids, it does not even affect us. I hate intrusion, but I really hate litter and misbehaving/possibly dangerous behaviors.

**WereBo** · 05-17-2009, 09:32 PM

Unfortunately, everything 'intrusive' that our 'government' has done, has been under the banner that it's 'for our own safety' or 'our benefit' and, to date, nothing has worked as promised.

Anti-terrorist security cameras are being used to monitor how long workers are taking for a cigarette-break outside, or if they're skiving off work 5 minutes early - Whereas the CCTV street-cameras that are supposed to keep an eye on the known trouble-spots where street gangs gather don't work.

Authorities can't afford to man the CCTV control-stations, but MP's cream £X,000's for their expenses. The only cameras that are guaranteed to work are traffic-speed cameras, because the rake in £millions every year. Our whole system is screwed up big time.

That £500,000 could be better spent by putting the police back patrolling the streets, rather than stuck behind desks, filling out reams of bureaucratic paperwork. When it takes the police 30 minutes or more to arrive, when someone's being attacked by a gang of kids, everyone becomes disillusioned with the idea of law and order.

lolarobot · 05-18-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WereBo

Unfortunately, everything 'intrusive' that our 'government' has done, has been under the banner that it's 'for our own safety' or 'our benefit' and, to date, nothing has worked as promised.

Anti-terrorist security cameras are being used to monitor how long workers are taking for a cigarette-break outside, or if they're skiving off work 5 minutes early - Whereas the CCTV street-cameras that are supposed to keep an eye on the known trouble-spots where street gangs gather don't work.

Authorities can't afford to man the CCTV control-stations, but MP's cream £X,000's for their expenses. The only cameras that are guaranteed to work are traffic-speed cameras, because the rake in £millions every year. Our whole system is screwed up big time.

That £500,000 could be better spent by putting the police back patrolling the streets, rather than stuck behind desks, filling out reams of bureaucratic paperwork. When it takes the police 30 minutes or more to arrive, when someone's being attacked by a gang of kids, everyone becomes disillusioned with the idea of law and order.

Well, you live there, I don't. I can only make a judgement from afar. But, I agree it would be cheaper and more effective to hire more police for the streets...for sure! And, I agree TOO much bull-sh-t, worthless paperwork.

**WereBo** · 05-18-2009, 06:43 PM

London's (mostly) great for tourists, but definitely not a nice place to live in, any more

.

lolarobot · 05-18-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WereBo

London's (mostly) great for tourists, but definitely not a nice place to live in, any more

.

This is what I have heard. Long ago, all of England was that special place that everyone wanted to visit, but after talking to many people who live there, I have no desire, which is sad, as I am sure it is lovely. My boyfriend and I went to the British Emporium this weekend and it was great! Just tell me this, what is Spotted Dick... ha, ha.

**WereBo** · 05-18-2009, 07:14 PM

A 'Spotted Dick' is a what we call a 'pudding' or 'dessert' - Basically, a steamed suet pudding with raisins and sultanas. Lovely on it's own, but to die for with custard

The UK is still a wonderful place to visit, we still have the country villages, ancient historic sites and 'regional eccentricities'

, it's mainly the large cities that have declined drastically, for the folks that live in them.

lolarobot · 05-18-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WereBo

A 'Spotted Dick' is a what we call a 'pudding' or 'dessert' - Basically, a steamed suet pudding with raisins and sultanas. Lovely on it's own, but to die for with custard

The UK is still a wonderful place to visit, we still have the country villages, ancient historic sites and 'regional eccentricities'

, it's mainly the large cities that have declined drastically, for the folks that live in them.

Oddly enough, Spotted Dick sounds delightful.

**WereBo** · 05-18-2009, 07:29 PM

Oh it is, if you're not bothered about your waistline or how many calories you eat

**asidman** · 05-21-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WereBo

A 'Spotted Dick' is a what we call a 'pudding' or 'dessert' - Basically, a steamed suet pudding with raisins and sultanas. Lovely on it's own, but to die for with custard

The UK is still a wonderful place to visit, we still have the country villages, ancient historic sites and 'regional eccentricities'

, it's mainly the large cities that have declined drastically, for the folks that live in them.

I had some when i was up there end of last year

it is not my cuppa tea but oh well was nice.

Have to agree the big cities are not as nice as the outta the way places. Of myt entire trip i have to say i loved Edinburgh...would love to check out Scotland more, this time round spent most of my time down south.

WHen i hear about people moaning about crime in SA, I was surprised to here how pointless most of the crime is in the UK. Ok SA does have more crime, but it just doesn't seem as pointless...

RobTi · 05-21-2009, 03:10 PM

Yeah Edinburgh is a nice city. Stirling is also a nice town (well, I remember it being that but I've not been for a long while!!!) - it's just past Edinburgh. Scotland is nice also - the only problem is, once you go past Inverness, you pretty much go past civilisation!!! The north-west of Scotland is very barren, with narrow country roads - you'd have to pray not to break down there! The Isle of Skye is quite nice also.

In England, well, I suppose it depends what you're after but the cities are not as bad as they used to be - especially in the centres where there are some pretty expensive regeneration programmes taking place. The main one that sticks in my mind being Manchester - although I think Liverpool, as a city centre, is pretty good too. And I've never had much trouble in London - but I do live a bit away from it!!!

Going back to the 'community service' thing...don't forget, it's now got the wonderful title of 'community payback'! ;)

Oh I think the 'point' of crime in the UK is overlooked. I think I heard a statistic the other day that violent crimes were on the increase...

Chevy · 05-24-2009, 02:19 PM

I was stationed in East Anglia (Suffolk County, RAF Mildenhall) for five years, and I have to say I loved every minute of it.

Great pubs, good food (the Brits get no respect for anything culinary), wonderful neighbors ...

05-16-2009, 02:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
lolarobot Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 484 OS: xp	'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6524495.stm WATCH CAMERAS IN ACTION. "Talking" CCTV cameras that tell off people dropping litter or committing anti-social behaviour are to be extended to 20 areas across England. They are already used in Middlesbrough where people seen misbehaving can be told to stop via a loudspeaker, controlled by control centre staff. About £500,000 will be spent adding speaker facilities to existing cameras. Shadow home affairs minister James Brokenshire said the government should be "very careful" over the cameras. Home Secretary John Reid told BBC News there would be some people, "in the minority who will be more concerned about what they claim are civil liberties intrusions". "But the vast majority of people find that their life is more upset by people who make their life a misery in the inner cities because they can't go out and feel safe and secure in a healthy, clean environment because of a minority of people," he added. The talking cameras did not constitute "secret surveillance", he said. "It's very public, it's interactive." Competitions would also be held at schools in many of the areas for children to become the voice of the cameras, Mr Reid said. Downing Street's "respect tsar", Louise Casey, said the cameras "nipped problems in the bud" and reduced bureaucracy. "It gets across the message, 'please don't litter our streets because someone else will have to pay to pick up that litter again'," she told BBC News. "Half a billion pounds a year is spent picking up litter." 'Scarecrow policing' Mr Brokenshire told the BBC he had a number of concerns about the use of the talking cameras. "Whether this is moving down a track of almost 'scarecrow' policing rather than real policing - actually insuring that we have more bobbies on the beat - I think that's what we really want to see, albeit that an initiative like this may be an effective tool in certain circumstances. "We need to be very careful about applying this more generally." The talking cameras will be installed in Southwark, Barking and Dagenham, in London, Reading, Harlow, Norwich, Ipswich, Plymouth, Gloucester, Derby, Northampton, Mansfield, Nottingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Wirral, Blackpool, Salford, South Tyneside and Darlington. In Middlesbrough, staff in a control centre monitor pictures from 12 talking cameras and can communicate directly with people on the street. Local councillor Barry Coppinger says the scheme has prevented fights and criminal damage and cut litter levels. "Generally, I think it has raised awareness that the town centre is a safe place to visit and also that we are keeping an eye open to make sure it is safe," he said. But opponent and campaigner Steve Hills said: "Apart from being absurd, I think it's rather sad that we should have faceless cameras barking at us on orders from who? Who sets these cameras up?" There are an estimated 4.2 million CCTV cameras in Britain. A recent study by the government's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner, warned that Britain was becoming a "surveillance society". __________________ “The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain.”

05-16-2009, 08:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,555 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: 'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' Well, the 'Powers-that-be' have got to keep the 'sheeple' in line..... __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

05-17-2009, 10:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,555 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: 'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' Hi lolarobot, nice to see you back again A fair number of towns and cities here are starting to use minor offenders, who received a 'Community Service' sentence, to pick up litter etc. Also, the street-cleaners who push brooms around the streets are employed in needed and meaningful work, however 'lowly' it appears. With so much 'Official Monitoring' being done, whether by Local Councils or Governmental, a lot of people here are starting to resent yet more intrusion by what's become a 'Nanny-State'. __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

05-17-2009, 09:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,555 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: 'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' Unfortunately, everything 'intrusive' that our 'government' has done, has been under the banner that it's 'for our own safety' or 'our benefit' and, to date, nothing has worked as promised. Anti-terrorist security cameras are being used to monitor how long workers are taking for a cigarette-break outside, or if they're skiving off work 5 minutes early - Whereas the CCTV street-cameras that are supposed to keep an eye on the known trouble-spots where street gangs gather don't work. Authorities can't afford to man the CCTV control-stations, but MP's cream £X,000's for their expenses. The only cameras that are guaranteed to work are traffic-speed cameras, because the rake in £millions every year. Our whole system is screwed up big time. That £500,000 could be better spent by putting the police back patrolling the streets, rather than stuck behind desks, filling out reams of bureaucratic paperwork. When it takes the police 30 minutes or more to arrive, when someone's being attacked by a gang of kids, everyone becomes disillusioned with the idea of law and order. __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

05-18-2009, 06:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,555 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: 'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' London's (mostly) great for tourists, but definitely not a nice place to live in, any more . __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

05-18-2009, 07:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,555 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: 'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' A 'Spotted Dick' is a what we call a 'pudding' or 'dessert' - Basically, a steamed suet pudding with raisins and sultanas. Lovely on it's own, but to die for with custard The UK is still a wonderful place to visit, we still have the country villages, ancient historic sites and 'regional eccentricities' , it's mainly the large cities that have declined drastically, for the folks that live in them. __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

05-18-2009, 07:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,555 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: 'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' Oh it is, if you're not bothered about your waistline or how many calories you eat __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

05-21-2009, 03:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
RobTi Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: England Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP	Re: 'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' Yeah Edinburgh is a nice city. Stirling is also a nice town (well, I remember it being that but I've not been for a long while!!!) - it's just past Edinburgh. Scotland is nice also - the only problem is, once you go past Inverness, you pretty much go past civilisation!!! The north-west of Scotland is very barren, with narrow country roads - you'd have to pray not to break down there! The Isle of Skye is quite nice also. In England, well, I suppose it depends what you're after but the cities are not as bad as they used to be - especially in the centres where there are some pretty expensive regeneration programmes taking place. The main one that sticks in my mind being Manchester - although I think Liverpool, as a city centre, is pretty good too. And I've never had much trouble in London - but I do live a bit away from it!!! Going back to the 'community service' thing...don't forget, it's now got the wonderful title of 'community payback'! ;) Oh I think the 'point' of crime in the UK is overlooked. I think I heard a statistic the other day that violent crimes were on the increase...

05-24-2009, 02:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
Chevy Retired Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Notlob Posts: 5,452 OS: Vista Ultimate My System	Re: 'Talking' CCTV scolds offenders' I was stationed in East Anglia (Suffolk County, RAF Mildenhall) for five years, and I have to say I loved every minute of it. Great pubs, good food (the Brits get no respect for anything culinary), wonderful neighbors ...