PeteBrant

BBC NEWS | UK | Staff asked to 'snoop' for police


So, public sector staff are being encouraged report someone to the police whom they *think* *might* be capable of violent crime.

Stop the world, I want to get off.

The Zohan

This has been batted around since Huntley and Soham and on the face of it seems sensible, the reality is somewhat different and could be missued by all sorts for all sort of reasons, Huntley fell though the gaps in the Police systems and PC (politically correct) feckwits protecting the wrong humans' rights IMHO and that is what needs sorting out.

SJ_Skyline

It was a cold, bright day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

PeteBrant

Huntley was never stopped because he hadn't done anything wrong before the soham case in the eyes of the law, and rightly so.

Around the time of the trial it came to light that he had been accused 11 times in the past. There all sorts of demands made in the media that this should never be allowed to happen again. They even went as far as saying as soon as an accusation of child abuse was reported, it should go on your record.

Once you start basing guilt on the number of times someone is accused, but never convicted of a crime you are on a very slippery slope.

Gymbal

Thoughtcrime! You're all guilty, report for readjustment.

warrenm2

just like in russia in the 70s and 80s - the caretaker of apartment blocks would always be an informer for the KGB, keeps the population in line when everyone grasses on everyone else.

Thank f*** Im going to be emigrating (with any luck)

Jerome

I agree. Malicious accusations could come from anywhere, an ex spouse or partner for example.

Leslie

I agree with the above. This would be a very convenient path for the authorities but a very dangerous one for the people of this country. All the posts on here so far are a good indication of what this would amount to eventually.

Les