Police stops on Essex Rd

CCTV, DNA, fingerprinting etc is all reactive- it helps (sometimes) to identify the perpetrator, but they have to perp first.

It'll only reduce actual numbers of crimes commited if a sufficient number of people are arrested and convicted in a way that shows that some crimes are always solved- and what are the odds of that?

Addressing the social issues, greater numbers of police involved with communities and so forth is the only thing that is going to reduce criminality.

Alternatively we go back to the good old days and impose transportation as the punishment for the first offence- recidivism is strictly limited if you are 8,000 miles away- from the perspective of your original society anyway.

Or go for the Soylent Green option- would work to reduce cattle related methane also.

Two birds, one stone.

What I want to know is, if the Police are taking all this DNA, stopping and searching all these people, and there's all this CCTV everywhere, how come shit load of crime goes on and the perpetrators are rarely caught?

CCTV is ineffective as a crime prevention tool.

The Home Office's own study on CCTV (292 - 2005) says that CCTV is not effective, the majority of schemes evaluated did not reduce crime and even where there was a reduction in crime that was mostly not due to CCTV, nor do CCTV schemes make people feel safer, much less change their behaviour.

It's quite handy for showing people how and why their bag/briefcase was just stolen, no more than that though I agree.

Or go for the Soylent Green option- would work to reduce cattle related methane also.

Two birds, one stone.

+1

fakenfurters.

Because DNA is not a magic bullet for crime reduction. Most of the uses that I can think of for such a large scale database is either commercial, or conspiratorial.

Absolutely, just think when you are arbitrarily arrested - you needn't have committed any offence, perhaps the officer simply didn't like the look of you or maybe you happen to be black (75% of all black males between the ages of 18 and 35 have been detained, DNA removed and are now on the database according to government figures) - and when you, quite rightfully refuse to have your DNA taken - you are bodycuffed, handcuffed and held down - as the state forces it's fingers into your mouth to forcefully take a DNA sample . . .when this happens always remember than amongst the commercial companies with access to your most intimate details will be BT.

Yes BT !

There are, I believe, another 56 organisations who can access the database and in addition the government has been selling the database (in various forms) to further commercial interests.

So by the government's own admissions it is routine that - by way of one example - a young black man in the UK can be arbitrarily arrested - having committed no crime - forcibly restrained, perhaps bodycuffed, DNA removed from the mouth and stored, ultimately benefiting the commercial interests and shareholders of BT.

Tynan come on now, if you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear.

So by the government's own admissions it is routine that - by way of one example - a young black man in the UK can be arbitrarily arrested - having committed no crime - forcibly restrained, perhaps bodycuffed, DNA removed from the mouth and stored, ultimately benefiting the commercial interests and shareholders of BT.

I have been stopped & searched 5 times in the past 2 years.

Funnily enough, one evening I was walking to work, got stopped and searched, then about an hour later when I was on duty had to attend an accident where one of the constables was taking details. He visibly gasped when I walked by in uniform.

Tynan come on now, if you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear.

:D

Joking aside, this line of reasoning is still often rolled out, even by, otherwise intelligent, politicians.

Man arrested due to height- no mention of if he was added to the DNA database however:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/26/kent_police_tall_explanation/

I've noticed loads of police last couple of weeks stopping people. Always perching just the other side of junctions, usually two PCSO's and a real policeman.

I mostly see them in the mornings up Bishopsgate as well. But I stopped to ask them where the pub was on Friday night near Smithfields. Very helpful, had a map in her pocket and everything.

The other day there were a load of police just where theobalds road turns into clerkenwell road...a police car was parked across both lanes and another one doing the same 100 yards up. There was a photographer standing in the middle of the street wearing a police jacket taking photos but I couldnt work out what of? They made me and other cyclists walk our bikes along the pavement but only on one side...coppers everywhere. But no crimescene.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew what the fuck was going on???? Couldnt work it out for the life of me.

Cheers, but I only quoted the governments own watchdog on these matters.

Actually, you said "There is no protection" which I don't believe the govt watchdog said. And, you rock not because of that one post, but because of numerous posts I've seen you make on various threads on this forum. I've been fighting civil liberties infringements in various ways for years, now, and progress is slow (but happening, at least). However, that doesn't make me want to stop encouraging people who I see who have a similar point of view - especially as the viewpoint of "f you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear." is all too common....

So, Tynan, you rock!

So, Tynan, you rock!

Cheers big ears !

Few cops regularly on warwick lane (EC1A) fining cyclists riding on the pavement due to work on the road. Guess it's good for their year end bonus ;)