Odd facts about CCTV

[#1]

One of the most dramatic revelations is that both the Shetland Islands Council and Corby Borough Council - among the smallest local authorities in the UK - have more CCTV cameras than the San Francisco Police Department.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8159141.stm

[#2]

Hardly unusual as we ARE in a Big Brother State after all, or is it a Nanny state or both.
You cannot drive on ANY main road in the UK and not be caught on camera somewhere, never mind walk down a high street or inside a store these days.
We are supposed to be part of the EU, with open borders between the members, BUT you still need a passport to leave the UK, WHY?

[#3]

nah.  the passport's to get back in.

[#4]

Interesting article just now on the Reg http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/21/neville_cctv/
'No more CCTV', cries top CCTV cop

[#5]

In the UK we have 1% of the world's population and 20% of the world's cctv cameras
One cctv camera for every 14 people

[#6]

A government obsessed with monitoring our every move. 

[#7]

I suppose from a positive point of view, it does keep a fair number of people employed; But though, I have noticed that occasionally that when there is an event (accidental, criminal etc.) the CCTV is mysteriously not working or looking in the wrong direction.

[#8]

@ biker955
I think artificer is correct...... you do not need a british passport, (or any other passport) to leave Britain..... but you will need it to get back in again.... 

[#9]

But the airline may refuse to carry you if they know the destination won't allow you entry without one.

[#10]

Just try getting on a plane to leave the country without a passport, you won't be going very far.

[#11]

I get asked for my passport to open a bank account, to take my money out of my bank account.
I even have to have my passport photocopied for temporary work in the local school - I think this somehow
proves that I'm not a paedophile (although I can't quite follow the logic here).

[#12]

Rather ironic that the government tried to bring in ID cards that could be used for some things that previously needed a passport - i.e it's a fromal photo ID - like several other countries in Europe have - but now they have binned the idea for a while.
A credit card size ID is easier to carry around than a passport.

[#13]

Until you lose it
Or it gets nicked
Or copied

[#14]

Indeed - but all those things can happen to an existing passport.
At least it fits in a wallet or whatever - even the new EU passports can be awkward to carry around if you don't have a jacket or similar on.
and I'm sure the hundreds of millions on the continent have been living with them for years.

[#15]

Even with one of the new ID cards you would not be able to travel outside the UK without a passport