Introduction 2

Increased use of science and technology to fight crime is an infringement on personal privacy

Nowadays there is an increase in the use of new technologies against crime, especially CCTV and DNA .It’s reported that there are 4.2 million cameras in UK namely 14people per camera and 4 million Britons have been recorded since the establishment of national DNA database in1995.A argument about the introduction of technologies has arisen. Some people doubt that whether these activities are effective or it’s just a waste of money . In this essay the effect of these activities against crime will be carried out and the infringement of privacy will be focused on.


First of all let’s focuses on some positive results . It’s claimed that robbery and burglary have been reduced by 27% and 26% for the last 2 years separately in northeast England due to the introduction of CCTV . It may be true in some way .Nevertheless In term of investment It make up more than three quarters of total expenditure on crime during the period of 1996 and 1998.The government also made a budget of 170 million pound for CCTV programme between 1999 and 2003.It’s really expensive.(Deward heath coatamory 2007) Another factor needed to be considered is that it ‘s not always coincident between the report and reality. According to Rachel Armitage there is little research evidence to show CCTV works (2002).Conversely it ‘s an infringement of personal privacy. The camera is installed to probe criminal but it record every movement of you when pass it. when our personal detail are recorded in the government’s computers, it ‘s safety or not . It maybe stolen by hackers. There are countless virus and increase every moment ,The Internet is in high risk. who will guarantee the security of our information. Some commercial organizations need the information to make benefit and they may share the benefit with government.


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Deward heathcoat amory 2007, ‘With DNA databases growing and CCTV cameras everywhere, it's time to stop Big Brother’, Mail Online ,viewed by 06 august 2008,< http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-482808/With-DNA-databases-growing-CCTV-cameras-time-stop-Big-Brother.html>

Rachel Armitage 2002,’to CCTV or not to CCTV’, Nacro, viewed by 06 august 2008,< http://www.nacro.org.uk/data/resources/nacro-2004120299.pdf>