Tuesday 18 August 2009

Most (un)wanted

A discount retail chain is stepping up the battle against store theft by displaying pictures of suspected shoplifters in shop windows and on its website -(Good for them)
Home Bargains has introduced a new hardline approach to in-store theft by launching an online campaign to identify suspected shoplifters, as well as putting posters of the suspects up in stores.
The retail chain, which has 190 stores countrywide, estimates that shop theft costs it an estimated pounds 6 million a year and says it is determined to crack down on the criminals. -( £6M?, you would have to win at least 12 sexual/racial harassment claims to make anything like that kind of money)
But Simon Davies, director of the human rights organisation Privacy International, said: 'You can't just bring your own system of vigilante justice. -(If it works, why not?)
'The whole exercise is wrong-footed legally, it flouts the entire justice system.- (A bit like the Human Rights Act then)
Mr Davies said the company was potentially libeling the people shown in the photos, and that those identified could also bring action under data protection laws. He said that if company bosses think they can prove guilt through CCTV images then 'they must know better than the High Court'.
'The High Court has already said that convictions using CCTV are unsafe because there are too many flaws in the footage,' - (I'll remember that next time I get caught on a speed camera)
The naming and shaming aspect also contravenes Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. -(Or more likely a fair £80 fixed penalty ticket..)
If the Human Rights 'experts' try and take it further, it will be interesting to see what comes of this...