Unmanned drones similar to those used in Afghanistan are set to be used in Britain to spy on drivers, campaigners, agricultural thieves and fly-tippers, it was revealed today. A group of government agencies led by Kent Police has commissioned arms manufacturer BAE systems to adapt military-style planes for civilian use.
According to a report published in the Guardian, a prototype drone equipped with high-powered cameras and sensors will take to the skies for test flights later this year. BAE Systems and Kent police reportedly claim that the drones would 'greatly extend' the government's surveillance capacity and 'revolutionise policing.'
Previously, Kent police have said the drone scheme was intended for use over the English Channel to monitor shipping and detect immigrants crossing from France. However reports suggest their use could be far more widespread - including detecting theft from cash machines, preventing theft of tractors and monitoring antisocial driving. The consortium also suggested the drones could be used by councils to combat 'fly-posting, fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles, abnormal loads and waste management'.
Five other police forces have signed up to the scheme, which could pave the way for countrywide adoption of the technology for surveillance, monitoring and evidence gathering.
This to my mind is ONE STEP too far, the 'one that broke the camel's back' moment. We are already the most surveyed country in the world with CCTV cameras watching our every move. We can be tracked by cameras the moment we leave our drives until we get to our destination. We can either start the fightback now by joining campaigns like the NO2ID CARDS on this site or sink further into a BIG BROTHER STATE.
WHY DON'T THEY JUST GIVE US AN ID CHIP NOW AND BE DONE WITH IT!
