UK Plans Private Police Force 252
An anonymous reader writes "'Private companies could take responsibility for investigating crimes, patrolling neighborhoods and even detaining suspects under a radical privatization plan,' The Guardian reports. 'The contract is the largest on police privatization so far, with a potential value of £1.5bn over seven years, rising to a possible £3.5bn depending on how many other forces get involved.' A worrying development in a country with an ever-increasing culture of surveillance and intrusive policing."
Re:Great... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Of course, prior to mid 1800s (Score:5, Funny)
Well in some ways it might be good to return to that kind of an arrangement for a few days each year. Just long enough to lynch the outgoing politicians on the day after elections. Now that would be a pretty good motivator to stop pissing voters off.
A Bit of Fry and Laurie: Prescient (Score:4, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Get hooligans off the streets of Britian . . . (Score:5, Funny)
. . . and into private police uniforms where they belong!
Bobby Helmets, the new look for Hoodies, Next Generation.
Dim: Well. Well, well. Well, well, well, well, if it isn't little Alex. Long time no viddy, droog. How goes?
Alex: It's... it's impossible. I don't believe it.
Georgie: Evidence of the old glazzies. Nothing up their sleeves. No magic, little Alex. A job for two, who are now of job age. The police.
Re:Of course, prior to mid 1800s (Score:3, Funny)
Witch hunts were also common back then. Real ones, where they'd take women who'd committed no crime and burn them at the stake.
No crime except witchcraft.
And in the not too distant future... (Score:3, Funny)
Dispatch: Hello, what is the emergency?
You: Someone is breaking into my house!
Dispatch: I see. Please hold while I lookup your account.
You: What? Hurry, I think he's inside!
Dispatch: Okay, it looks like you have our Basic State protection. We can dispatch an officer within 20 minutes. If you upgrade now to our RapidResponse plan for only 10.99 a month for the first year, we can dispatch an officer immediately.
You: Yeah, whatever, just send them now!
Dispatch: I'll be glad to ma'am. May I please have your credit card number?
You: No, it's in the room with the robber.
Dispatch: I understand. I'll go ahead and send out our standard officer. You should expect one within 25 to 30 minutes. You can call back at anytime to upgrade to our RapidResponse plan. Don't forget to ask about our low crime rate discount.
You: He's got a gun!
Dispatch: Have a good day, ma'am!
Re:Great... (Score:3, Funny)