The Weekly Gripe

Are we being watched by big brother
Heading towards a police state?

Heading towards a police state

It seems a long time since the concept of Big Brother sounded dark and menacing rather than part of light entertainment. But when the cameras are turned on the authorities, they can show uncomfortable images.



Are we really sleep walking towards a police state? Britain has by far the largest number of cameras in the world with an estimated five million in public and private hands.That's about one for every 12 people.

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Posted Comment Visitor
27-4-2008With more Government departments and Private companies able to access everyones personal records, ever increasing use of cameras (CCTV, Speed, Motorway,Etc.) we are moving at ever increasing speed towards George Orwells "1984" how long before we have the "thought police" too? Or...moreAlan G
20-4-2008I don't subscribe to the "if you haven't done anything wrong you have nothing to be afraid of" view because of the total incompetence now rife through all government departments & big companies. As an example, I work for a smallish company and have had many threatening letters...moregrumpyoldwoman
19-2-2008America is headed in the same direction. I am not familar with UKs or the international{?} show Big Brother, I certainly recognize the term. Oh Wait, is this the absurd show that pairs people against each other to win whatever?? Please tell me that the dumbing down of American programming has hi...moreMenotq
04-2-2008My gripe comes under the umberella of government. At present its this government. I am sick and tired of the proposals and stipulations made by the government. So many CCTV cameras. Still trying to bring in ID cards. Everybody put on data bases. NHS rules, no treatment if you smoke, est, drink more ...moreRowana
28-1-2008If you doubt that the trchnology exists to "chip" every citizen, just go to this page at ZDnet http://healthcare.zdnet.com/?p=670 and read the article "Who or what gets RFID tags". So BEWARE New Labour and their quest for compulsory ID cards. The question is nearer WHEN, not IF...moreAlan G
28-1-2008The Uk has more CCTV "spy cameras" than any other country in Europe (Possibly the world) recent reports have stated that a UK Citizen can be observed by a CCTV camera over 350 times a day. But as "Concerned" says, they are only usefull after the event, and do little or nothing t...moreAlan G
27-1-2008In response to the Glasgow Airport bombing... there would certainly have been a number of CCTV cameras at the airport and surrounding it, but they didn't help did they?? The car still got through and still exploded. The London bombings; the people still got on the trains and buses, despite hund...moreconcerned
05-12-2007Germany was once a police state and they never had any 'muck' or 'rammel' in their country. Maybe a change is due and we could go the same way, may not be a bad idea and may make people go and get a job and instill some pride back.Andy
07-9-2007That's because the state has outsourced its power to organisations which enforce parking controls, and the like. That's where the Police State isWe are in a "Police" Stat
08-8-2007I don't know where you all live but you can hardly call it a Police State where I live (South East of England). Our local high street has two CCTV cameras - both facing the floor and probably only recording peoples feet, that is if there is actually a film inside. Our coppers are called Communi...moreMel
30-7-2007The phrase 'police state' is increasingly misused. One definition reads as "a country that maintains repressive control over the people by means of police"... Ha! In the area I live, the police seem incapable of tackling and solving crime... let alone maintaining any semblance of &...moreSpuddy
21-7-2007Freddie, I am going to join forces with the hoodies. I shall try to devise means of looking completely anonymous in photos and on CCTV. I shall wear highly reflective clothes.Ban CCTV



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