LAST week, police officers on Merseyside began taking photographs of offenders caught using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving.
It was announced that, as part of Operation Mobile Cam, the colour images would be released to the local press and published on the police force’s own website.
Besides this, complying with new laws introduced in February, offenders would be issued with a £60 fine and three penalty points.
After declaring the Sefton-based pilot operation a success, Merseyside Police has announced it will roll out the measure across Merseyside in the near future.
The force is believed to be the first in the country to have introduced such a strong measure.
Police say only a tough deterrent such as this will drive home the message that driving and using a mobile – including texting and using loudspeaker – is a serious crime.
It was thought the prospect of having their photo published in newspapers would make most people think twice about such action.
Officers stopped short of “naming and shaming” offenders, deciding names were unnecessary as those pictured would be recognised by family, friends and colleagues regardless of whether their name appeared under the image.
However, civil liberties and human rights groups say that the measure is extreme and accelerates our slide towards becoming a Big Brother state where we are all under constant surveillance.
The Daily Post asks: Should people who use mobile phones while driving be publicly shamed by having their images published?
Article
