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Big Brother is shouting at you
Big Brother is not only watching you - now he's barking
orders too. Britain's first 'talking' CCTV cameras have arrived,
publicly berating bad behavior and shaming offenders into acting more
responsibly.
The system allows control room
operators who spot any anti-social acts - from
dropping litter to late-night brawls - to send out a verbal warning: 'We
are watching
you'.
Middlesbrough has fitted loudspeakers on seven of its 158 cameras in an
experiment already being hailed as a success. Jack Bonner, who manages
the
system, said: 'It is one hell of a deterrent. It's one thing to know
that there are
CCTV cameras about, but it's quite another when they loudly point out
what you
have just done wrong. 'Most people are so ashamed and embarrassed at
being caught they quickly slink
off without further trouble. 'There was one incident when two men
started fighting outside a nightclub. One of
the control room operators warned them over the loudspeakers and they
looked
up, startled, stopped fighting and scampered in opposite directions.
'This isn't about keeping tabs on people, it's about making the streets
safer for the
law-abiding majority and helping to change the attitudes of those who
cause
trouble. It challenges unacceptable behavior and makes people think
twice.'
The Mail on Sunday watched as a cyclist riding through a pedestrian area
was
ordered to stop. 'Would the young man on the bike please get off and
walk as he is riding in a
pedestrian area,' came the command.
The surprised youth stopped, and looked about. A look of horror spread
across his
face as he realized the voice was referring to him. He dismounted and
wheeled his bike through the crowded streets, as instructed. Law-abiding
shopper Karen Margery, 40, was shocked to hear the speakers
spring into action as she walked past them. Afterwards she said: 'It's
quite scary to realize that your every move could be
monitored - it really is like Big Brother. 'But Middlesbrough does have
a big problem with anti-social behavior, so it is
very reassuring.'
The scheme has been introduced by Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon, a
former
police superintendent who was dubbed Robocop for pioneering the
zero-tolerance
approach to crime. He believes the talking cameras will dramatically cut
not just anti-social behavior,
but violent crime, too. And if the city centre scheme proves a success,
it will be extended into residential
areas. The control room operators have been given strict guidelines
about what
commands they can give. Yelling 'Oi you, stop that', is not permitted.
Instead, their instructions make the following suggestions: 'Warning
- you are
being monitored by CCTV -
Warning - you are in an
alcohol-free zone, please
refrain from drinking';
and Warning - your behavior is
being monitored by CCTV.
It is being recorded and the police are attending.'
Mr. Bonner said: 'We always make the requests polite, and if the
offender obeys,
the operator adds 'thank you'. We think that's a nice finishing touch.
'It would appear that the offenders are the only ones who find the audio
cameras intrusive. The vast majority of people welcome these cameras.
'Put it this way, we never have requests to remove them.' But civil
rights campaigners have argued that the talking cameras are no 'magic
bullet', in the fight against crime.
Liberty spokesman Doug Jewell said: 'None of us likes litterbugs or yobs
playing
up on a Saturday night, but talking CCTV cameras are no substitute for
police
officers on the beat.'
I am sure this is coming soon to a
town near you ! |
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