Britain considers mask ban; may use army if unrest continues
Among the post-riot measures to be enacted in Britain, Reuters reports, will be controls on face coverings and the possible use of the army to suppress future disturbances. Britain will crack down on gangs and may call in army support if this week's riots are repeated, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday, saying he would not allow a "culture of fear" to exist on the streets.For what criminal activities (such as looting) is the appropriate response to demand someone remove a mask, instead of being arresting for the crime?
The government will also give the police powers to demand people remove face coverings after many looters who ransacked shops during riots in London and other English cities this week wore masks to avoid being identified.
The Guardian has full details on Prime Minister David Cameron's report today in Parliament:
• Instant messaging services will be reviewed. "We are working with the Police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality," he said.
• The police will have new powers to order people to remove facemasks. "On facemasks, currently [the police] can only remove these in a specific geographical location and for a limited time," Cameron said. "So I can announce today that we are going to give the police the discretion to remove face coverings under any circumstances where there is reasonable suspicion that they are related to criminal activity."
• Curfew powers will be reviewed. "On dealing with crowds, we are also looking at the use of existing dispersal powers and whether any wider power of curfew is necessary," he said.
Shameless Screen Grab courtesy of Boing Boing
Bad News for superheroes in Britain. Good News for Villains world wide.
And of course by "Good" One means "Evil".
-Lord Malignance
Is there a possibility of abuse? Yes. Are these measures necessary and for the common good of the public? Absolutely.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with "powers" being enacted during an emergency is they tend to be broad, and only afterward are they pared down.. and usually with great difficulty.
Silver Sentinel,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, but this post 911 world, our innocence has been lost, and we now look with suspicious eyes at strange Men in masks travelling in groups, sneaking around at night, carrying home made weapons, dressed to intimidate and bring fear to good honest hard working people.
Upfront, transparent, and accountable neighborhood citizen patrol. It's not new - it's been around as long as there have been communities of people.
Thank you for commenting, and keeping me (at least somewhat) honest, and welcome back to blogger.
For our friends in Britain,
"God save the Queen!"
-Lord Malignance