With all due respects, I consider that horsesqeeze. Folks should not be running around spying on one another and submitting reports based on paranoia and unsubstantiated observation. The police are busy enough responding to legitimate issues without chasing off, based on the half baked delusions of prattling busy bodies.
In a society that has outlawed any and all guns, if someone see's what they think is a gun, they should report it. Particularly a society that has had a large group of their members murdered by terrorists. Recently.
Seeing something out of place is not spying. And yes it is a matter of degree. Let me ask you. If you were at Georgetown University, located in Washington DC. And saw a young guy walking quickly with a shotgun and go into one of the University Buildings, what would you do? Nothing?
It is the person that expects and takes what they need and want from a society, culture, and Nation, and does nothing to help or assist that nation is the real parasite. Past service or even sacrifice does not relieve anyone of that responsibility.
In the end it is about responsibility. Yup, a lot of folks will report things that aren't. Like the case in point. But the damage, ignoring a potential of this sort is, in the end, much worse. In most societies it is a disease, of disaffection.
How the authorities react/respond is a totally different subject. And yes I think in this case the authorities were abusive. Maybe the Brit's like it that way.
Speaking for our country here in the States, if anyone observes what they think may be terrorist activity, they should ignore it? I don't think that is appropriate, or right.
I will not. And if someone did observed it, and did nothing, what does that make them?
Go figure.
Fred