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Staff asked to 'snoop' for police | Staff asked to 'snoop' for police |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Council staff, charity workers and doctors could be required by law to tip off police about anyone they believe could commit a violent crime. | Council staff, charity workers and doctors could be required by law to tip off police about anyone they believe could commit a violent crime. |
The Home Office proposals, leaked to the Times newspaper, insist public bodies have "valuable information" that could identify potential offenders. | The Home Office proposals, leaked to the Times newspaper, insist public bodies have "valuable information" that could identify potential offenders. |
Possible warning signs could include heavy drinking, mental health problems or a violent family background. | Possible warning signs could include heavy drinking, mental health problems or a violent family background. |
The Tories say the plans would require staff to "snoop on their customers". | The Tories say the plans would require staff to "snoop on their customers". |
Civil liberties campaigners are concerned that people could be put under police surveillance despite having committed no crime. | Civil liberties campaigners are concerned that people could be put under police surveillance despite having committed no crime. |
HAVE YOUR SAY A climate of fear where neighbours snoop on neighbours Chris Tophe, Wiltshire Send us your comments | |
The proposals for "multi-agency information sharing" were circulated in Whitehall by Simon King, head of the Home Office violent crime unit. | The proposals for "multi-agency information sharing" were circulated in Whitehall by Simon King, head of the Home Office violent crime unit. |
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. | 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. |
'Worrying profile' | 'Worrying profile' |
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." | 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. | It says when staff become "sufficiently concerned" about an individual, that person should be should "risk assessed" and, if necessary, referred for further attention. |
Mr King suggests two new agencies be created - one to collate reports on potential offenders, the other on potential victims. | Mr King suggests two new agencies be created - one to collate reports on potential offenders, the other on potential victims. |
How far are we willing to go in pursuit of the unrealistic promise of a risk-free society? Jago RussellLiberty | How far are we willing to go in pursuit of the unrealistic promise of a risk-free society? Jago RussellLiberty |
New laws would also be needed to place staff under a statutory obligation to report any concerns, he adds. | New laws would also be needed to place staff under a statutory obligation to report any concerns, he adds. |
Supporters say the plans build on existing local arrangements used to try to prevent domestic violence by identifying those at risk. | Supporters say the plans build on existing local arrangements used to try to prevent domestic violence by identifying those at risk. |
But 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". | But 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?" | "How far are we willing to go in pursuit of the unrealistic promise of a risk-free society?" |
The Conservatives claim the policy would simply increase bureaucracy. | The Conservatives claim the policy would simply increase bureaucracy. |
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said police already had a considerable "administrative burden" without having to "wade through file after file of speculation and guess work". | Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said police already had a considerable "administrative burden" without having to "wade through file after file of speculation and guess work". |
A spokesman for the Home Office said the proposals were at an early stage and no decision had been made. | A spokesman for the Home Office said the proposals were at an early stage and no decision had been made. |
"However, the Home Office has its duty of public protection as its top priority," he added. | "However, the Home Office has its duty of public protection as its top priority," he added. |
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