The BBC is reporting that the Home Office is considering forcing local Council staff, doctors and charity workers to report anyone who they think might one day commit a violent crime to the police.  The Home Office believes “possible warning signs could include heavy drinking, mental health problems or a violent family background.”

Civil liberty advocates are concerned that this will encourage spying on customers, resulting in individuals being placed under surveillance when they haven’t committed any crimes.  This proposal is taking a cue from the United States by claiming that this help to protect the children.

They are being viewed as an attempt to close a loophole which allowed Soham murderer Ian Huntley to get a job in a school, despite previous accusations of violence.

Two new agencies are being suggested for the proposal; one on potential offenders and one on potential victims.

Jago Russell, policy officer at campaign group Liberty, said the proposals left many “unanswered questions” about what should be done about someone with a “worrying profile”.

“How far are we willing to go in pursuit of the unrealistic promise of a risk-free society?”

Indeed, why are people continuing to be duped into giving up more freedoms?  This proposal will only add to the spying of British citizens.  It isn’t going to save anyone.  It will only deluge the police in more paperwork of someone who might, one day, become violent.

The leaked document states: “Public bodies will have access to valuable information about people at risk of becoming either perpetrators or victims of serious violence.”

It says when staff become “sufficiently concerned” about an individual, that person should be should “risk assessed” and, if necessary, referred for further attention.

How much is sufficiently concerned?  What public bodies are going to have access to individuals’ personal information and why?  How are they going to decide if a “risk assessed” person should or should not be referred for further attention and who are they going to be referred to?  Is the individual going to have the right to know they are being investigated or will they remain in ignorance of any snooping that public offices, police, and other government are doing?

This proposal is, seemingly, exactly what the British government wants.  They are already criticized as being a surveillance society and have more CCTV cameras than anywhere else in the world.  Now, they appear to be heading down the Stasi road of canvasing individuals in every aspect of their lives.  British citizens should be worried and very concerned about the ever reaching hand of the government into their lives.  Remember, if you look hard enough, everyone is a criminal.