Police to fingerprint motorists at roadside.

[Mantaspook]

It was on the news this morning (22-11-06) that the police will be trialling a new electronic device called LANTERN that will enable officers to fingerprint motorists at the side of the road. Article here

 

To justify its introduction it is claimed that 60% of motorists give a false identity when stopped by the police. (Can anyone verify this?)

 

A motorist stopped for ANY reason may be ‘invited’ to supply their fingerprints, which is then added to the other 6.5 million on the fingerprint database - even if they are innocent.

 

“If you got nothing to hide – you’ve got nothing to fear” I hear you say.

 

But at what point does a liberal democracy turn into a totalitarian state by collecting information to enable it to control its citizens?

[carpetviper]

It was on the news this morning (22-11-06) that the police will be trialling a new electronic device called LANTERN that will enable officers to fingerprint motorists at the side of the road. Article here

 

To justify its introduction it is claimed that 60% of motorists give a false identity when stopped by the police. (Can anyone verify this?)

 

A motorist stopped for ANY reason may be ‘invited’ to supply their fingerprints, which is then added to the other 6.5 million on the fingerprint database - even if they are innocent.

 

“If you got nothing to hide – you’ve got nothing to fear” I hear you say.

 

But at what point does a liberal democracy turn into a totalitarian state by collecting information to enable it to control its citizens?

 

 

I dont think they will get any from me unless they read me my rights and take me in the police will probably sell your details to mailing agents anything to raise revenue.

[Darbees]

It was on the news this morning (22-11-06) that the police will be trialling a new electronic device called LANTERN that will enable officers to fingerprint motorists at the side of the road. Article here

 

To justify its introduction it is claimed that 60% of motorists give a false identity when stopped by the police. (Can anyone verify this?)

 

A motorist stopped for ANY reason may be ‘invited’ to supply their fingerprints, which is then added to the other 6.5 million on the fingerprint database - even if they are innocent.

 

“If you got nothing to hide – you’ve got nothing to fear” I hear you say.

 

But at what point does a liberal democracy turn into a totalitarian state by collecting information to enable it to control its citizens?

Yet another way of controlling and keeping tabs on us all us, it's very bad. There was a programme on the other night about all the surveillance and data collecting that is going on. Most of these new ideas have not been debated in parliament.

 

In answer to the naive “If you got nothing to hide – you’ve got nothing to fear” brigade the correspondant said are you sure that is the case? Bearing in mind this government have enacted 3000 new laws it may well be that people who consider themselves innocent are not so and having collected sufficient data the authorities may find you have committed a crime you didn't even know about. Very scary indeed. It will get even worse if Gordon Brown gets the top job and that will be time I will consider abandoning ship.

[SupraSteve]

It's not limited to motorists, but it is a trial in limited areas at the moment, more details here;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6170070.stm

 

Have your say (good/bad idea) here;

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4812&start=0&&&edition=1&ttl=20061122122720

[cgksheff]

They won't be happy until they have all our fingerprints and DNA registered at birth.

 

 

.......... but I now realise that this just for checking, not recording.

[Darbees]

It's not limited to motorists, but it is a trial in limited areas at the moment, more details here;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6170070.stm

 

Have your say (good/bad idea) here;

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4812&start=0&&&edition=1&ttl=20061122122720

How often do we hear of something being trialled and they say it was rubbish and won't be implemented? It just gets sneaked in as a trial and then becomes normal policy.

[KJ_VENOM]

 

A motorist stopped for ANY reason may be ‘invited’ to supply their fingerprints, which is then added to the other 6.5 million on the fingerprint database - even if they are innocent.

 

fingerprint given in this way will not be added to the national database you are only providing the index finger not full finger and palm prints the device uses the database to find out if you say who you are if you your finger prints on the system

 

those know they are not on there and are innocent will have no qualms about using it, its the people who know they are on there who will refuse if they are doing wrong

[SupraSteve]

"Bedfordshire are the first force to use the equipment, which is being distributed among the forces in Essex, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, North Wales, Northamptonshire, West Midlands and West Yorkshire, as well as to British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police, over the next two months.

 

It is primarily aimed at motorists because banned or uninsured drivers often give false names, although pedestrians could also be asked to give prints if they are suspected to have committed an offence."

[venger]

You are allowed to refuse to give a print for the force do not have the right to demand a print outside of a police station so far

[Darbees]

It is primarily aimed at motorists because banned or uninsured drivers often give false names, although pedestrians could also be asked to give prints if they are suspected to have committed an offence."[/i]

They don't take prints of banned or uninsured drivers unless they have been arrested. It's just a smokescreen to get the information. Once they get it under way they will start to keep the information on file, guaranteed.