I wonder how much liberty and privacy the Brits are willing to trade away in their search for security.
The remote control helicopter, fitted with CCTV cameras, will be used by officers in Merseyside to track criminals and record anti-social behaviour.
The drone is only a metre wide, weighs less than a bag of sugar, and can record images from a height of 500m.
It was originally used for military reconnaissance but is now being trialled by a mainstream police force.
The spy plane was launched as a senior police officer warned the surveillance society in the UK is eroding civil liberties.
It gets far worse:
Council staff, charity workers and doctors could be required by law to tip off police about anyone they believe could commit a violent crime.
The Home Office proposals, leaked to the Times newspaper, insist public bodies have “valuable information” that could identify potential offenders.
Possible warning signs could include heavy drinking, mental health problems or a violent family background.
The Tories say the plans would require staff to “snoop on their customers”.
Pre-crime prosecutions can’t be far off.
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