Police Surveillance

Police Surveillance

[A5 40 Page]

A set of photographs illustrating Police Surveillance – Photography, Video & CCTV

In recent years, surveillance techniques have been developed, they say for the catching of criminals in criminal acts, further, to provide evidence for their prosecution. I think society at large would argue that that’s fair enough. Fingerprint detection after all, seems to be acceptable to most. In recent times however, these same surveillance techniques are being much used to inform those trying to control dissent. It should be pointed out that dissent and protest are not crimes in the UK …. yet!
Police surveillance has increased to enable officers to deal with the subjects targeted under the Public Order Act 1986 and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. This was just at the point of developments in modern computing, databases, the internet and improvements in video / digital camera technologies. Of course, they haven’t finished yet!
Now, under the Conservative government, chapter 3 of these developments are coming down the pipe. Priti Patel, the Home Secretary has yet further ambitions with the law dealing with the more recent concept of ‘aggravated trespass’. This of course, is dealing with access to land. It is a common denominator that would affect festivals, travellers, environmental protest, trade dispute and even a rambler having a walk in the countryside. Surveillance in the operational policing of these matters will be greatly enhanced.

‘Pageturner’ video at: https://youtu.be/Zl-717x5Tj4