Friday, March 27, 2009
Children aged eight enlisted as council snoopers
This is uncomfortable.
I can't say there's anything wrong with children reporting criminal wrongdoing; however, being actively recruited to report petty offences doesn't work for me...
I can't say there's anything wrong with children reporting criminal wrongdoing; however, being actively recruited to report petty offences doesn't work for me...
This is from an article by Martin Beckford, Sarah Graham and Betsy Mead in the U.K. Telegraph:
"One in six councils contacted by the Telegraph said they had signed up teams of 'environment volunteers' who are being encouraged to photograph or video neighbours guilty of dog fouling, littering or 'bin crimes'.
The "covert human intelligence sources", as some local authorities describe them, are also being asked to pass on the names of neighbours they believe to be responsible, or take down their number-plates.
Ealing Council in West London said: 'There are hundreds of Junior Streetwatchers, aged 8-10 years old, who are trained to identify and report enviro-crime issues such as graffiti and fly-tipping.'
Harlow Council in Essex said: 'We currently have 25 Street Scene Champions who work with the council. They are all aged between 11 to 14... '"
