[cuchulainn]

from the Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/10/1068329458466.htmlScanner to reveal hidden bombs and guns

London
November 10, 2003
British police are developing a portable scanner that can reveal concealed guns and bombs, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police headquarters at Scotland Yard said.

But the scanner can reveal much else besides, and civil libertarians are concerned that some officers might use it for titillation as well as detection.

"It would have to be subject to very strict guidelines," said Barry Hugill of Liberty, the British civil liberties group.

On Saturday, a Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed the technology was under development but stressed it was at an early stage.

He said it was part of a wide range of technology being considered by the force and would be introduced as soon as possible.

The scanner was developed as part of research program ordered by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens to combat a rising tide of gun crime.

According to The Times, the device, known as "the machine", has already worked at short range from the back of a truck.

Despite reservations about invasion of privacy, Hugill said it was "difficult to see a problem with technology that can actually locate guns and help protect both police officers and the public from harm".

AFP

Copyright © 2003. The Sydney Morning Herald

[cuchulainn]

from the BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3254633.stmWeapon scanner 'ready by new year'

Britain's top police officer has said that a mobile scanner which can detect guns and knives carried under clothing, will be in use by the new year.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens said the technology being developed by scientists for Scotland Yard, "represents a quantum leap in terms of how we tackle this type of crime".

The scheme was initiated by Met Commissioner Sir John earlier this year as he announced a crack down on gun crime.

Figures show that shooting incidents across England and Wales rose by 35% from 17,589 in 2000-2001 to 22,314 last year.

Speaking on BBC One's Breakfast with Frost, Sir John said: "We're trying to make use of all the technology that's around.

"It's bringing together the techniques used in anti-terrorism also linking it to technology used to search people at airports."

He added: "We hope to be using the device by Christmas or in the New Year."

Asked if it was inspired by the James Bond movies, he said: "No, it is a work up of the techniques used in anti-terrorism."

Before the scanner takes to the streets the police may find they have to convince civil liberties groups concerned that the scanner - which is said to reveal intimate body details - is not an infringement of privacy.

"We will have the proper safeguards in place to make sure it is not misused," Sir John said.

[HankB]

Sounds like an opportunity - bring out a line of clothing lined with a fine metallic mesh, opaque to millimeter wave radar . . . call it "Privacy Protector" or something.

[lapidator]

Sounds like an opportunity - bring out a line of clothing lined with a fine metallic mesh, opaque to millimeter wave radar . . . call it "Privacy Protector" or something.

Which would then become probable cause for stop and search.


Lapidator

[Mr. Bombastic]

The police can already stop, search and take DNA for no reason what-so-ever. You don't have to be guilty of a crime to be treated as a criminal.

[Oleg Volk]

I wonder if the IRA would have a vested interest in targeting such trucks. The scanner use would pose a threat to any insurgency, hence its high priority as a target.

[geekWithA.45]

Oleg: I'm certain "such trucks" have already been cloaked and camouflaged.

Even the cops in NJ are running in cloaked cars these days.

But I digress:

EACH AND EVERYTIME someone pulls one of these big brother toys out of their buttocks, we're supposed to think that it's perfectly OK because "strict guidelines" will be observed.

Yeah, right. "We're from the government, we're here to help you".

After all, only criminals need fear such things.....:barf: :barf: :barf:

[Oleg Volk]

I don't think that would stop a determined enemy.

[agricola]

sigh

The police can already stop, search and take DNA for no reason what-so-ever. You don't have to be guilty of a crime to be treated as a criminal.

Police can only stop and search in guidance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. DNA can only be taken from those charged with a recordable offence, and only then if it hasnt been taken twice before.

[Oleg Volk]

only then if it hasnt been taken twice before

And if it has been taken twice before, what's the point of doing it again?

[geekWithA.45]

Oleg: Concur.

[agricola]

we dont take it twice - their DNA has been confirmed.

[Mr. Bombastic]

Sigh...

Police can only stop and search in guidance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. This 'Act' basically says that they can stop and search anyone they please. All they have to do is 'suspect' them of a crime.

DNA can only be taken from those charged with a recordable offence, and only then if it hasnt been taken twice before. And what if they are found innocent? Their DNA is still kept. Looks like our government doesn't think those superpowers are far reaching enough though:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2890047.stm

Police DNA powers 'to be extended'

Police will be able to take fingerprints and DNA from anyone they arrest, whether they are charged or not, under new UK Government plans.

Who needs freedom anyway though, right Agricola?

[SoCalGeek]

Asked if it was inspired by the James Bond movies, he said: "No, it is a work up of the techniques used in anti-terrorism."

I'm sure Mr. Stevens doesn't know this, but such a device IS in a James Bond movie. In 'The World Is Not Enough', there is a scene where James goes to a casino to meet its owner, an ex-KGB contact. As he steps inside, he puts on a pair of glasses that have a device just like that one and he can instantly see the weapons that virtually everyone is packing, and the lingerie that virtually all the women are wearing.

[Standing Wolf]

...difficult to see a problem with technology that can actually locate guns and help protect both police officers and the public from harm...

The problem has nothing to do with technology and everything to do with tyranny.