Brit bobbies play with model airplanes while on the job

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-6649187,00.html
 
New police 'spy drone' takes to sky 

Press Association 
Monday May 21, 2007 12:38 PM 



The UK's first police "spy drone" has taken to the skies.

The remote control helicopter, fitted with CCTV cameras, will be used by
officers in Merseyside to track criminals and record anti-social behaviour.

The drone is only a metre wide, weighs less than a bag of sugar, and can
record images from a height of 500m.

It was originally used for military reconnaissance but is now being trialled
by a mainstream police force.

The spy plane was launched as a senior police officer warned the
surveillance society in the UK is eroding civil liberties.

Ian Readhead, deputy chief constable of Hampshire Police, said Britain could
face an Orwellian situation with cameras on every street corner.

However, senior officers in Merseyside, who are trialling the drone, said
they did not believe it was the next phase in creating a Big Brother
society.

Assistant chief constable Simon Byrne said: "People clamour for the feeling
of safety which cameras give.

"Obviously there is a point of view that has been expressed but our feedback
from the public is anything we can do to fight crime is a good thing.

"There are safeguards in place legally covering the use of CCTV and the
higher the level of intrusion, the higher the level of authority needed
within the police force to use it. So there is that balance there."

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