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UK gov to control the causes of crime

Surveillance society as panacea

Ten years since the Prime Minister suggested that social inequality would have to be addressed in order to prevent crime, he is expected to propose a technology-led programme of rehabilitation, intervention and control to tackle the causes of crime.

The leaked proposals were published in The Independent following another leak that pre-announced a Commons inquiry into the surveillance society. They call for the "greater use" of surveillance technology, but acknowledged the need for "stronger safeguards" to reassure public concern over a "Big Brother" state.

The "underlying causes" of crime would be tackled through "preventative interventions", as outlined in the government's social policy before now. They would also be tackled by rehabilitating offenders.

The plan was intended to address "social exclusion, dysfunctional families, drugs and alcohol abuse," according to proposals outlined in a report approved by the Cabinet 10 days ago, but as yet unpublished.

They would include more summary powers such as on-the-spot fines and would reflect a "personalised approach" that targeted the "offender not the offence".

The proposals also suggest reducing the number of prison places by using more community sentences, rehabilitation of jailed convicts, separate courts, hybrid prisons and greater use of non-custodial sentences for the mentally ill.

No2ID, the campaign against identity cards and the database state, declared a national ID day today, which they said would be marked by protests across the country. ®

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