Two recent articles took my attention to do with surveillance culture. The first, published in the Times on 03/03/10 ‘The Strange Case of Security Cameras’, stated that the average Brit might conceivably be caught on one of the 4.2 million CCTV cameras on average 300 times per day – the result of a study by the Government’s Privacy Watchdog. The second Times article was one published on 07/03/10 called ‘The Shooting Party’. This stated that, “the days when you could photograph freely in public spaces is disappearing fast.” The camera is becoming an offensive weapon, airports and train stations are no longer the only out of bound spaces. “Did you hear about the mother banned from taking a snapshot of her baby in the pool? Or the student prevented from photographing Tower Bridge at sunset? Be warned. The authorities now have the power to confiscate you – or even arrest you – for daring to take a picture in public.” One wonders how much we are in danger of losing as the price we pay for supposed safety. 80% of crime is left unsolved!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/david_aaronovitch/article5834725.ece

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article7050481.ece