While i support Will Richards, from Droitwich's comment about Shami i have one question for him, what next will we use the UK's spy cameras for? We can also find any number of justifications for using them to spy on our other everyday activities, you know facial recognition camera's etc. While i think the likes of Shami Chakrabarti need to come up with viable alternative ideas rather than just protests, people that share Will's ideas should also be aware of how much power they are willing to relinquish to the state...think!!

ANDREW EZEA, HACKNEY, LONDON

Theres nothing new in Governments and leaders using fear to control their populous and sneek in potentially unpopular laws through the back door. For centuries religions have done the same. In this case its the fear of terrorism (in itself a result of our own and the US's inept and biased foreign policies) that they are using and have used many times since 9/11 to get through laws that would previously have been thought of to most as unthinkable. The question is is how much further they can push us and how many more of our civil liberties they can take away before the public find a common voice.

The key will be the press. At the moment, certainly as far as terrorism is concerned, the Government have most of the press on their side. Fear-inducing headlines flood our front pages and give support to the Government's cause. However it is very heartening to read some of the HYS comments on these pages by people that see through the hype and make there own minds up about current affairs.

Rod Munch, Northampton, UK

Is it not high time that Shami Chakrabarti recognised that she does not speak for the majority of people when she protests about so many aspects of modern British life?

In this country we enjoy what is in the main a democracy, and ni such an environment that quite simply means that it is, or at least should be, the voice of the majority which is heard above the protestations of minority, unrepresentative pressure groups.

I was a Police Officer when CS spray was first introduced as a weapon against violent offenders, and 'Liberty's' Shami was there, protesting. Significantly, and probably as a result of her lack of knowledge or experience of dealing with violence, she offered no alternatives, just protest. She now does the same with the proposed widespread access by the police of road charging cameras...why?The technology is already used to detect those without vehicle tax or insurance, so why not serious criminal activity and terrorism? Come out from behind your desk Shami

will richards, Droitwich,

I feel sick. How does the quote go? Those who surrender liberties for security deserve neither?
That said its not the people doing the surrendering. These policies assume that Joe terrorist/criminal will use a vehicle legally registered to themselves!

Bobby Horsman, Manchester,

I'm assuming Sean happily walks around naked in public as Sean has nothing to hide...

I am utterly tired of hearing that ridiculous argument. EVERYONE has something to hide even if it's only their dignity. Someone may even have something important to hide such as a truth that the government and it's agents (the police) find uncomfortable.

None of these measures will have any effect on real criminals as my girlfriend's father can attest; at the same time as sitting at home in another city (car parked outside) he was also in London committing various infractions... Fortunately he was able to prove that he was not in London and thus evaded capture by the super-smart technological measures that were arrayed against him by the criminals, some of whom were using his number plate on their car.

I hope that Sean will feel safe in this police state knowing that the state never makes mistakes and that they will make every effort to protect him from Eurasia or Eastasia whichever is convenient.

David, London, UK

Can anyone give an example of a crime being PREVENTED by a CCTV camera?

The idea that CCTV cameras keep us safe is ridiculous. Their only purpose if for tracking. And yes the government did say that they wouldn't share this information.

I guess they lied AGAIN, whats new?

JohnVZ, London, UK

When are people in the UK going to react?
This is part of a fundamental change which is racing forward under the name of security and correctness.
They can say what they please (the authorities), the information is still taken in and could be used against every one of us in some way or another. I realise if i dont do anything wrong i have nothing to worry about, ok, But the future holds a lot of unusual changes.
I thought people would have reacted more over the number plate reading cameras. Should we really have to pay for an ID card that serves this other purpose??
What more needs to happen before there is a ground movement to object to all this.

Geoff, Colmar, France

Where is Mr David Cameron while all this is going on. I have no doubt he has agreed with his labour party colleagues to this additional infraction of our civil liberties being eroded. One more spineless indifference on his part.

Ronald Mc Cartan, Dagenham, Essex

It looks like it wasn't paranoia after all, roll on identity cards and compulsory black boxes in cars. What next....Thought Police?

Jon Dawkins, Bristol, UK

Automatic Number Recognition is only possible if there is a number for them to recognise. What if all those who are concerned and wish to protest about the rapid escalation of government's survailance were to cover their number plates; even for one day, the system fails and would 'Big Brother' be able to do anything about it? I think not! They of course would threaten all sorts of dire sanctions, all in the name of fighting terror, their own terror that 'the people' might revolt and not vote for the 'Establishment' who of course know best!

Richard, Bristol, Somerset

This is the first time I have ever written on this issue to newspaper , but this move really does concerns me now. This is "real " steepening of a slippery slope which the majority have ignored and acquiesed. At our peril : Just how do we assert our rights here, terror issue yes, but the rest.
In other countries this would cause a huge outcry. It seems we are sleepwalking into the kind of police state regime we despised in the old eastern bloc from decades ago

A national wake up campaign, supported by the heavy hitting broaddsheets and media agencies is urgently required, and its time for those who discount this orwellian activity to begin to reclaim some civil right on privacy

Robin Wilson, Cowfold, West Sussex

I would be grateful if any member of our government would tell us how number plate recognition or even identity cards would have stopped a single terrorist attack in this country? May be I missed the section on the vehicle registration form that says “If you indulge in terrorist activity please tick the box”. This government in becoming as paranoid as the American government and look what they’ve done for would peace.

Mark Sheppard, Retford, Notts

Is it any wonder that vehicle identity theft is increasing and ever more people are living and driving outside of the system.

Let's have that election and get GB out before he does any more damage.

Dave, Birmingham, UK

Before we all go off on a 'civil liberties' crusade, remember that it is only the criminals and terrorists who have anything to fear from this. Without CCTV how many criminals and terrorists would still be free to roam our country commiting mass murder, rape and robbery? The normal, honest citizen has nothing to hide, so what it the problem? Tracking the movements of criminals is not new, it is just the methods used. Remember Interpol? It has been in existance for many, many years. High tech crime fighting requires high tech weapons! Everyone born in this country, coming to live here or even first time visitors should be required to have their DNA sampled. What a deterrent that would be! If we want to live in a safe society, then those that choose to behave outside of the law must be caught by any means possible.

Frederick Brookes, Stafford, UK

This is a wonderful idea whilst we are confident of always having a benign government. However, as citizens we must protect our own rights to freedom of association and movement otherwise if ever we need to co-ordinate opposition to an abusive government we will be powerless against these 'weapons'. We need to move in this direction with extreme caution if at all.

Nigel Jaggers, Newcastle, UK

You just cannot trust this government. It's obvious they understand people don't want our society damaged further in this way, that's why they try to hide it. The question is, why do they keep at it? Are they mad or just evil?
Bring on the general election!

Peter Dunford, Bournemouth,

Whilst I am all for safety, the invasion of privacy and the use of security as an excuse to monitor is unforgivable. this issue was discussed when congestionn charge was and promises were made regarding confidentiality. This should not be tolerated and the public nees to speak up!

Hamad lone, Thornton Heath, England

We do not have any enforceable contract with government. We can accept a proposal (in this case congestion related cameras) based on its terms and conditions and the government is at liberty to arbitrarily alter these following implementation.

It is right that the government should be subjected to real and meaningful scrutiny because it simply cannot be trusted in anything to keep its side of the deal.

Ubi, Edinburgh, UK

When my car got broken into at the local railway station car park and the radio stolen, there was CCTV and my car was parked in a spot where it was directly seen by the CCTV.
I asked at the train station if the CCTV tapes were still there and not yet taped over. They told me they were and they would be made available to the police if requested.
I reported this to the police and was told that criminals usually don't take notice of CCTV cameras because most of them don't tape.
I was glad this CCTV camera taped. I informed the officer of this, only to be told in not so many words that the police didn't have enough manpower to be watching CCTV footage for something as trivial as this.!!!
Given this, it's no wonder criminals continue to commit crimes in full view of CCTV - either they don't tape, and when they do tape - nothing is done about it.
But if it's to get money by way of fines, I'm sure these tapes would be closely watched!

Ligia, London,

I left 30 years ago, and now I know why.

Trevor D. Evans, Drulingen, France

What on earth have all these people got to hide. I for one think it is good that technology is made available to catch criminals. If in the process of this people find out what time I go to the post office or anyhere else, I couldn't care less!

Sean, Manchester, Lancs

How does this help, criminals and terrorists use stolen cars or false number plates. I have nothing to hide but worry if I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time I could be a suspect.

Alan, southampton, UK

How long are the British public going to endure this "Big Brother" Government?
The situation is worse than the "old" days in Russia.
Isn't it time we BRITISH claimed our Country back?

Susannah Forrest, Harrogate, UK

Well well, what a surprise that this government intends to use surveillance cameras for purposes other than what they were originally claiming. Can anybody actually trust this government at all? Tax them, watch them, control them is their stock in trade. It is unbelievable that the people of this country seem to be oblivious to the intentions of this lot, but I'm afraid it is going to get worse with no let up. The next move will be pushing the ID cards on the basis of controlling supposed terrorism by religious fanatics, which is something of their very own making.

P.Kelly, beverley, UK

What price the revolution? We really are on the verge of the descent into total control by the state. If we are guilty of standing by while it happens then we deserve eveything we get. Bring on the thought police...

Citizen Smith, Reading, Berkshire

Weren't we promised this wouldn't happen?

Back when road pricing was being discussed?

Is there *NO* accountability in this country anymore? Can governments really just promise they won't do something and then do it anyway?

Katie, Cambridge,

Fortunately I have dual nationality, I can leave! Please, will the rest if Britain’s residents wake up to what is happening? Before the benevolent dictator becomes a tyrant and it is too late.

Christopher Powell, London, England

So the criminals and terrorists will be using real plates will they? And suppose they swap them regularly? Nope, can't see the crime families working that one out.

What about the many cars with illegally spaced plates or with illegal typefaces on the plate? Can the cameras read these? Round my way the police don't seem to do anything about plates even I as a human have trouble reading let alone an automated system.

What about long-term foreign-registered cars, as used by Polish plumbers etc all over the South East? No link back to the DVLA for them, and I can't see Poland cooperating with data release on its citizens - they have recent memory of secret police surveilance which we don't.

As usual with surveillance, the law-abiding will be followed and the crims won't. But authorities will be "seen to have done something." So that's all right then.

Duncan, London, England

I fail to see what the problem is. The use of number plate recognition is used to provide information on cars that are not road taxed, insured or wanted in connection with a crime already. To actually increase this to allowing real time monitoring of suspect cars is a good idea. How would people want these suspects monitored; by a team of unmarked police cars that costs a lot of money and can be seen or by cameras that cannot be avoided?

I have no problem in anyone knowing where my car has been as I have nothing to hide.

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

Great idea but why limit it to 'national security'. Are we saying that if a child abduction occured in London the public would not this footage used. Lets get real, these cameras are for collecting congestion fees, of course they should be used for all crimes that warrent the time spent studying the footage.

Tony, East Grinstead,

The New Labour police state is now virtually complete. Adolf Hitler, Stalin and Chairman Mao would be so impressed how a first world democracy has turned itself into such a state, under state lies.

To remind ourselves of what Benjamin Franklin said: " They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety."

We've learnt nothing from history, just as well New Labour has scrapped the learning of important facts in school history lessons. The comparisons with 1939 are there to see.

Michale, Cardiff,

Once again, as if you needed any reminder, you can see what this government has planned for you. You have already had massive opposition registered to the idea of road pricing, yet despite this, this government arrogantly continues by stealth to encroach upon civil liberties, rights, and freedoms, and always the reasons are "national security", "fighting crime", "public safety", and a myriad of other reasons. The UK is already a Nanny State, and is fast becoming a totalitarian state in all but name. If ever I needed yet another reason to justify why I decided not to return to the UK, this is certainly it!

Adrian Ryan, Donegal, Ireland

Like it or not cctv protects the public at large - cameras have great;y helped with recent terrorist attacks... the presence of cctv assist the police in solving crimes and drunken behaviour in city centres all over the UK every day.

The general public have rights to be protected from all individuals who break the law - whether to explode a bomb, rob a bank or any other crime.

Good if they cover customs and excise and the inland revenue.............and catch and prosecute those people who think its clever to evade their obligation and duty to pay taxes and duty and leave the rest of the general public to shoulder the burden.

anna, camberley,

This proposal is but one of the costs we shall all pay for two New Labour policies - open door immigration to everyone but those from the "white" Commonwealth, and multiculturalism (now called Investors in Diversity) which has failed to impress British values upon the immigrants.
To many New Labour supporters and many in the media the word "British" is anathema, not much better than "Nazi". Their stupidity will reduce England to a wartorn state not unlike Lebanon or Bosnia, with totalitarian controls to resemble those of the communist East Germany.

Tony G, Harrogate, UK

After all the promises that this technology was not going to be passed on and was not going to be track people's journeys, I suppose we should expect nothing more. Brown and his cohorts are nothing more than a bunch of downright lying crooks. Les is exactly right in his analysis above, they won't be happy until they take every penny you are earning and know every move you make. The sooner we are rid of them the better.

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, Bucks

Another step towards despotism. What will be your last straw? When I left in December 2003, it wasn't a moment too soon, because the deteriortion is no longer linear. After I'd made the decision, I was out in just on six months, but that's because I'd lived in Japan before and serviced my contacts. With Brits flying the coop at the rate of 1,000 a day, although that has to be a ball-park figure, surely there's a need for a type of "welcome wagon" in the main target destinations. Can't imagine the Embassy would want to be seen supporting those leaving Britain in disgust, so any suggestions?

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Kanagawa

all this crap about totalatarian state & regime , clear none of you have lived in the middle east or africa , live there for a while and watch the crime/terrorism and gang warefare, then comment,

Bring these measures and more in ASAP

mike whaley, sheffield, england

I don't mind the police looking at my number plate but they should only be allowed to follow suspicious vechicles and those registered by the police.

I am disabled and exempt charging would they follow me?

Civil liberties are okay behind closed doors and those not engaged in illegal activities, in public and open areas cameras are a public safe guard. If your neighbour is supected of criminal activities the police will do nothing to spy on them because of the law, that is wrong, if they are cleared of these activities all the better. If you or the police ask them they only complain of harasment and your car window will be broken one night.
Its not the act of spying in public it is how the information is used that has to be controled.

Peter, Hastings, UK

With millions of vehicles on the roads, who are the people Liberty fears have the time and inclination to carry out "mass snooping" on law-abiding individuals, and why? There's much surveillance already, yet those who object rarely give examples of how they have been adversely affected. If the police insist it will help fight crime, that should be good enough.

Barry, Wallington, UK

This is yet another step down the Police State path taken by the Government. The false fear and paranoia generated (with help from the media) mainly by the threat of terrorism, is a smokescreen for the real agenda - control of the population.

Be afraid... be very afraid...

Tyler Durden, London, UK

There might be some point in all this if it could do something about crime. It cannot and will not.

Any business, and crime is also a business, rapidly adapts to changing constraints. Fingerprints were once useful; now burglars wear gloves. Numberplates were once useful; speed cameras have induced many motorists to play dirty, and the harder criminals will not be behind.

Obvious tactics: false plates, changed in secluded spots during journeys. Unconventional routes. Common model and colour (plain white Transit?) Decoy cars known to be connected with criminals undertaking suspicious but in fact misleading journeys & absorbing police effort to check them. Decoy crimes, where everything happens but the crime itself so that the police waste time staking out (e.g.) an airport, all dressed up & nowhere to go.

If I can think of all this and much more, so can the bad lads.

The only people to be harassed by this new measure will be ordinary citizens. Drop it.

Michael Bruce, Selby, Yorkshire

The British accept whatever the government chooses to dish out to them without so much as a whimper of protest. There is plenty more where this came from. Someone said "A society of sheep will inevitably lead to a government of wolves" We are watching that happen.

Simon, Tiverton, Devon

If the price of safety is an oppresive society, then give me the risks. The excuse of 'national secruity' is being used more and more by this government in order to introduce a totalatarian regime by the back-door. It is time to put a stop to the increasing amount of CCTV coverage of daily life.

Les, Southport, England.

"Officers would also be able to identify vehicles in particular geographical areas after a crime has been committed."

So everytime a crime is commited and you just 'happen' to be in the area, the police will be banging your door, possibly arresting you?

when will people wake up and realise this is a bad idea, is bad enough having cctv at every corner.. how long before chips are inserted at birth?

Paul, Wales,

Much more of this Police State garbage, and I'm off.
Where are the politicians with the guts to stand up to the Police?Who rules?
In Europe we are becoming a joke,the French think we are malleable sheep.

Michael J Rigby, Blackburn, England

The use of revolving number plates and James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 come to mind.

Hugh Bonsey, Salisbury, UK

"Does Clarkson know about this? If not wake him up quick & let's have what will obviously be a deliciously splentic, foam-flecked, diatribe which all free thinking individuals can get to grips with. Can I also take this opportunity to ask why we haven't had him raging about the fact that in Nottingham we have had the police & our great & good councillors banning, in the whole county, any grouping of people in customised cars from meeting, gathering or driving together, even on Private land?...Yes that's right, if the Morris Minor Fan-club decide to get together, hire a field for a jolly old knees-up etc, then make sure you don't do it in Nottinghamshire 'cos you'll be breaking the law, (and no doubt the poor Moggy M will be crushed !) From Johntinkwhite.

Mr J.F.White., Hucknall, Nottingham

This should not be accepoted by the British public, its survelance by stealth, next thing is customs and excise, inland revenue etc will have access to the information. The information will be sold etc etc.

This country is not far from becoming a totalalitarian state and will end in civil disorder and disobedience. Within 2 years I am off. GB and his cronies can rot in hell.

Steven Katirai, Newcastle Tyne,