Vince Cable

An argument has erupted over police filming of local teenagers on the street.

The issue arose after a group of teenagers waiting at a bus stop in Teddington - committing no offence or nuisance - were filmed at close quarters by local police officers. The mother of one of the girls challenged the police behaviour and asked Vincent Cable MP to take the matter up. He has raised the issue with the Borough Commander and local member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Dee Doocey, who in turn has asked the Met Police to justify the filming of young people who are causing no offence. The Police have explained that such filming is in line with police guidelines and justify it on the grounds that it has been successful in deterring anti-social behaviour.

Vincent Cable said: "Of course the Police must be supported in their efforts to counter anti-social behaviour. But I worry that this kind of surveillance of young people committing no offence beyond the fact of being teenagers is counter-productive. It also raises the same kind of questions as the holding of DNA samples of some entirely innocent people, as well as criminals. I can well believe that anti-social behaviour is deterred by the Police filming people who are causing trouble but they do, I think, need to be more careful to avoid lumping together the innocent and those committing an offence."