Edited by author 09-22-2003 05:47 AM
The number of criminals who drive from crime to crime is, of course, high. The plan is to track them from home to victim and back by picking up their number plates on CCTV.

We know what this will do, though, don't we! - criminals will simply fit false plates when they go out on business.

Edited by author 09-22-2003 08:19 AM
"But we know, already, what happens to identity theft where there is mandatory ID. There are research statistics. Identity theft increases."


Please could you show the source of this information. Is there a URL I could reference, as I would like to make a similar point, but cannot without a source. Thank you.

the whole thing just makes me very angry. I really think the government has forgotten that we elect them to work for us, not to curtail our rights and track our every movement. They should do what *we* tell them (this is the whole point of democracy) not vice cersa. Gah. They are barmy.

Moozendog, /m2 asks for a source. I can't do better than point you at Wendy Grossman's series of articles on the subject on www.newswireless.net - check out a few links on our discussion area which point back to all "net.wars" articles.

She's got dozens and dozens of links from dozens and dozens of sites.

I tend to agree but have you noticed the other little laws that are being passed- until earlier this year you could get fake plates made (no id required) anywhere. Now you have to produce documentation which makes it just a little harder. The Police have also cracked down on heavily tinted glass in cars where you cannot see the driver. It was reported a few months ago that some police forces forced drivers to wait at the roadside and summon Autoglass to change it.

Mind you, and this is slightly more worrying- DVLA misregistered a car to me instead of a person in the house next door. Hackney Council issued a parking ticket which I refuted as next door had by then moved. To be fair DVLA sent me a nice 'we cocked up' letter to show anyone but Hackney despite having been told twice still sent out bailiffs. Makes you wonder about mistakes on a national ID database!

Yes. "Now you have to produce documentation which makes it just a little harder."

Now, is that documentation unfakeable? Clearly, not! - so one more incentive to set up a backup faking business. You need a fake plate; so you start by getting fake docs. Well, yes; that would be handy for when you're stopped, too!

Hackney. Ah, yes, Hackney. I live there. I know EXACTLY what you mean, sadly.