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this is the start....we have just had Rememberance day for, in the main the 2 manipulated world wars (do your own research). The slogans "never again","lest we forget etc. WAKE UP!!!!!

- Humfree, yooknoalreddy, us

Move to Holland people! better life, better system, especially better for the sick, the elderly and those of us who like to smoke cannabis. There is no knock on the door to fear in Holland. Will the last person out of the U.K. please turn off the lights!

- O.C., chonburi thailand

Welcome to the 'Brave New World',
Hope you enjoy it.

- Ryan, Newcastle

The people that say its not a big deal are missing the point there is a bigger picture because new laws are being created each week and they will make something you do mundane you do illegal hence making you an anti-social criminal.

Case point Tom Catcheside, 67, who was arrested in a dawn raid for using a single swear word in front of a council official.

He was held in a cell for 6 hours and dna swabbed, so people really need to look at where this is going. Also blaming labour is useless as left wing or right wing its the same bird, when David Cameron is Prime Minister he wont repeal any of the policy changes made by labour.

- Jay, Harrow, UK

Welcome to your multicultural communist police state. I believe it was Nazi Germany that waged war upon communism and its madness...oh that's right they were defeated by the "freedom-loving" democracies...thus eliminating any national resistance to the communist disease.

- Damien, portland, usa

One thing I think you're missing. This is all a diversion, to keep the citizens busy policing each other, while the governments run a muck.The old adage "Look over there, not over here" comes to mind. Well, I can't chat long, gotta go to work one of my three jobs so I can pay tax men their dues!

- Cher, Chicago, USA

Adolf Hitler would be proud of this country - and this happened without Operation Sea Lion being initiated! Where are we going in this once proud land which had morals and principles? Gordon Clown is trying to make schools into Hitler Youth camps with the government brainwashing which goes on - no wonder he is anti-homeschooling! This sort of thing should not happen in a democratic society...

- Carolyn Davison, Cardiff, Wales

It is crazy what is going on in Western Europe and the US. Our culture and way of life is being destroyed by political correctness. This has got to stop.

- James, los angeles

I guess next they will be encouraging children to spy on their parents and report any anti-social comments. God help you folks. It does sound as if George Orwell got it right. What happened to the English backbone? You had best stand up to it now and start turning it around now before it is really too late.

- Shawn, Long Beach, USA

I find it amazing that the brave English people who stood alone against Nazi Germany in WWII have become just like them.

- Slade, Walnut Creek, CA USA

Very sad that your leaders have lovingly embraced national socialism (Nazism). This snitch program is sure to cause horrible fears and division in the society. No thinking person will trust anyone again.

- Bonnadee, Seattle USA

Well, the way our current administration is trying to turn us into Europe with socialist healthcare, schools, etc. we'll be recruiting "spotters" pretty soon ourselves. They already tried it a bit when Obama asked people to turn in by e-mail anyone who said something "fishy" about his government-controlled healthcare program. That lasted about a month. By the way, what is "fly-tipping"? When I have flies in my barn I hang up a sticky fly-strip which attracts the flies and then when they land on it they stick to it. Especially useful during summertime!

- Elissa, Mulino, Oregon, U.S.A.

Seems the distance between "not yet" and "too late" is getting smaller everywhere.

- Klint, San Diego, Ca. USA

Anonn...those in government who are aware of their organization being corrupted but don't resign or quit are part of the problem.

I have this nightmare that the stereotypical sneering Gestapo agent in the cinema or movies demanding "your papers, please" is less that ten years away.

- Dee Jay, Edison, USA

Isn’t it ironic that as we celebrate the 20 year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall ending the German Democratic Republic and the Stasi secret service that co-opted its citizens as “unofficial co-operators” to snoop on neighbors and colleagues, we find the very same thing going on in this so-called democracy of ours? Haven’t we learned anything?

- Michael, London, UK

To all of the people in the UK. watch the movie v for Vendetta don't pay attention to V pay attention to the government in the movie. that's what our goverment's are becoming.

- Richard, hampton,nh USA

doesn't this prove that the arrogant tories think they have the next election in the bag.
it just goes to show how out of touch with ordinary people they really are. for those of you who say that "well we already have other types of surveillance so whats the problem",i say this this is a totally different ball game and will obviously lead to a society of great mistrust and fear.even if you are a law abiding person but one of these "snoopers" doesn't like the look of you, or perhaps your dog urinates on his/her lawn,they will invent a story and you will be reported for something you're not guilty of.it will happen.
remember how the Jews were persecuted for being Jewish.
only hitlerites would want to offer their services in this way and we all know that there are very many of those amongst us im sorry to say.

- Stuart, yorkshire. england

We already have the means to report anti social behaviour: we can contact our Safer Neighbourhood Teams, we can join Neighbourhood Watch, we have Environmental Health, the Council Refuse Dept, the Police etc etc. so why do we need to waste more money creating this? Of great concern are their plans to get people to detect and report on child abuse - this requires professional involvement, and if you are worried, we already have channels for reporting, such as Social services and the Police. Some in Harrow Council will do anything to grab a headline and make out that they are so fabulous at their job! Plus I don't believe they held a poll - I didn't hear of it and I read all the local papers. The whole thing reeks of bovines and manure..

- Kay, harrow

This is about extending influence??? (Social Engineering.) Subjective judgement (s), social prejudice, for a nebulous common purpose dictated by a faceless group of buearaucrats. Councils are there to serve the people, entrusted with the community services and NOT to dominate their paymasters . Citizen do not belong to the councils,
It is time that all councillors and council workers are observered/monitored on a frequent & regular basis. Council accounts audited by the citizens and records kept for use at election time.
The Spokesperson for Harrow, S Hall needs to be advised the WE is not the Council but the tax & Rate payers of Harrow, And they need to decide if they want their liberty infringed!!

- Alex, Africa

Looks like its time again for the Jews have yellow stars & labels pinned to their clothes
Hey maybe we can have yellow stars of David for BNP members or UAF members...lets not forget the New Labour Part quislings,..they get the biggest boldest yellow star to wear
I always wondered why they never destroyed Auschwitz ,..they want to use it again,..if not some secret prison in Poland the CIA usually use should suffice

- A Brown, UK

Put in a freedom of information request to get the list of names & plaster them over billboards in the borough!

- Barb, London

Speaking as a senile old fool of nearly 70 years, perhaps I could ask a question? Isn't this what the POLICE are PAID to do? Or is that just a bit too un-PC?

- Pee'D Off Pensioner, London / UK

now we know what happened to all the STASI spies, grass's and snitches from East Germany when the Berlin Wall came down,..they emigrated to the UK and set-up shop importing illegal immigrants to gain entry via the Channel Tunnel etc

- A Brown, UK

This is an anti conservative initiative. However desparate I am to be free of New labour, I will not vote for a Tory party that see this as the way forward.

- Londonken, London

Stasi, Securitate.....ask east Germans or Romanians what it was like before the wall came down.....with snooping neighbours telling the authorities what they thought you might be doing. And the council thinks there might be retributions? What will they do when the first snooper gets hurt? Or killed? Apologise? Offer counselling?

- Gdb, London UK

This is probably how the Stasi started.Firstly reported for placing "a plastic bottle in the wrong bin"...What next being reported for "not supporting Mr Cameron and his Brown Shirts".Today celebrates the fall of the Berlin Wall which was a momentous moment for millions of East Germans who displayed bravery for years under a regime of tyranny.The three main political parties deserve everything coming their way at the next general election which hopefully will be TOTAL ANNIHILATION!!

- Jasper Wainwright, Florida,USA

In the article, it says that 87% agreed to this? That's funny, because I have just read all 52 comments on this Have Your Say so far and 85% DISAGREE. Who are these people trying to kid?

This is just the latest in a long line of invasions of people's privacy. I wonder how much more of this the public are going to tolerate?

- Peter Flannigan, Derby

So what's wrong in taking pride in your area? I am one of these so called "snoopers" although I have NEVER snooped on my neighbours. There is a lot of misunderstanding about such schemes. Is it wrong to inform the council about the offensive and sometimes racist graffiti that is sprayed on residents walls, is it wrong to tell the council about the fly tip of asbestos by the childrens play ground all because the cowboy builder can't get rid of it? and, if this cowboy builder gets caught as a result of my report I would suggest this is a positive thing or is it against his human rights? This is not about the secret police or a government run state...it is about civil duty. How many times have you said or heard someone say " bloody council....when will they clean up the rubbish/fly tip/graffiti?" well if no one has reported it how do they know about it and how can they react and clean it up? so if you don't fly tip, drop litter vandalise properties and street furniture with graffiti then you have nothing to worry about...your civil liberties are safe.

- Mike, ealing, uk

Hitler perfected the block warden.....Every had to report to them if they had a problem with htier building...it soon got changed to spying on who is who...who are jews...are are foriegners...Stalin imposed his own style of block warden..communist party members...onlt with rights of arrest......now we are getting our version......This lot in power...are communist leaning...They sing the REd Flag for chrisake...Please vote them out at the next election.....they got the power and are destroying us from within....

- Themanoftruth, United Kingdom

Cameras everywhere, secret inquests, police shooting unarmed members of the public, and every green activist labled an enermy of the state. The rest of us are taxed to death, harrassed and worked until we drop.
I am shortly to leave this fascist nu-labour state for a free country. Thank you Mr Brown..

- Andy Parks, London, UK

On the anniversary of the fall of the wall, the UK is recreating East Germany.

- Hatchet, Newcastle, Australia

Welcome to the future the typically English version of the East-German StaSi society.

- James, London - England

What a daft idea, which would quite possibly divide the very community it's meant to unite. It'll flop anyway, because the police can't even manage to investigate properly the present number of reported crimes - let alone an extra load of alleged misdemeanours reported by snoopers.

- Mike, Cardiff U.K.

The phrase that "If you have done nothing wrong then you have nothing to fear" is a snare and a delusion, because you may have done something wrong in the eyes of the snooper, who then turns you in. The scheme is so open to abuse that it would scare the hell out of me, and I have done nothing wrong!!!

- Michael R. Oyler, Crossville, Tennssee, USA

Will they be given the title Blockleiter?

- Len, Grays, England

excellent way to fit someone up you dont like up....

- B Edwards, sutton

Harrow,Ruislip,Northwood used to be considered the posh areas when I was a young lad in Bermondsey,how times have changed ?.

- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey UK

If i catch a person spying on me God help em!I would willingly do time to protect my right to not be spied on,you have been warned Mr Supper citizen!

- Kev, London-UK

You can already report fly-tipping etc online to the Council.What a waste of ratepayers money.Will this be rolled out elsewhere if the Conservatives win the election next year?.

- Baldini, London England

When I grew up, Harrow was just another quiet English town but since the influx of foreigners, the place has gone to pot.
- Kathy Doyle, London

So I take it you'll be signing up to spy on them?

- David, N10

I'd be willing to bet it'll be the foreigners doing the spying;if the politically correct councils have their way there'll be no white males involved.

- Squiz, Islington

Dont be fooled by tinking that when citizens act as undercover spies/police in this manner over trivial stuff JUST LIKE STAZI or NAZIS that they are not acting just like them. Dont be used like this just becuase we don't have a "nazi" or "stazi" state. If the actions are the same, then regardless of the good or nefarious intentions of anyone involved, they ARE being used to bring in a police state. Dont be fooled. Community is voluntary and by popel in the community. Groups of citizens imposed and vetted by the government are part of the government and NOT a real community and they will destroy community, which is the only defence against poice or spy states. I feel sorry for those in the police government and security services who know this and see their organisations and community aned country being corrupted and destoyed by the naive and/or evil.

- Anonn, anonduetoharrassment

As usual, this is a reasonable idea that could easily be abused - both by the watchers and by the council (whichever council it is doing this, Harrow isn't unique in this matter remember). However, the extremes being bandied about here would be highly amusing if the people coming out with them weren't so serious.

There is a happy medium between 'Stasi' style political spies and complete community apathy over blatant anti-social behaviour. Rather than having a well-defined and 'trained' group, why not have Neighbourhood Watch seminars to show anyone who is community minded what does and does not constitute wrongful behaviour (as opposed to personal petty dislikes that are often the basis for complaint), together with informing them what they can do to bring this to the attention of the appropriate authorities for proper investigation rather than potential witch-hunt accusations?

That comment from Johnty suggests what the problem might be - this 'telling tales on your classmates' kind of thinking. There's a difference between fear of retribution after school (usually by the same people you shopped - eg bullying) and exercising civic responsibility. The former is thinking as children, the latter as adults.

- Rogan, Irving

Well of course in the "good old days" the big momma was cleaning the door step and could survey the scene, everyone knew everyone else in the street and a clip round the ear for being cheeky wasn`t seen as legal fodder for the EU court of human rights.
If a kid fell off it`s bike you could help it without being seen as a pervert, and no phrase was a more powerful deterrent than "wait `till you`re father gets home..."
Of course, all that inhuman demeaning behaviour such as snooping and dealing out (non) corrective punishment before the cheeky little tyke turns into a vicious criminal has now been institutionalised - taken from the family and community and given to the "professionals" - and isn`t that working wonderfully.
Self reliance is championed, all the streets are safe, old people are treated with respect as are the police,doctors and MP`S, traditional families are encouraged and of course, no child is in danger or ever neglected.
And of course, no-one is paranoid.

- Darius, London UK

Where's the Stazi when you need them... oh, next door!

- Trunk, US

Oh my God, this get more sinister by the minuet!

First we have CCTV everywhere, then we have speed cameras, even in the remotest of areas where there is absolutely no risk, and now me being asked to spy on my neighbour.

Does this lunatic,oppressive, survellience mad Government know no bounds?

I am all for persons reporting crime, and anti-social behaviour, but this proposal, far from making communities will actually smash them.

Then again that has been Labour's intention ever since they got in to power. And yet again, another of George Orwell's predicitions comming to fruition out of his novel "984".

I would emigrate from this Country tomorrow, if only I knew where to go: the trouble is all the European States seem to be going the same way, albeit 10 years behind us. Even Switzerland is moving towards it.

Frightening.

- Chris Richards, Chelmsford Essex

UK civil liberties started vanishing on the day we joined the EEC, latterly the EU and becoming more and more like the old USSR by the day.Added to that in the UK is the modern trend to lack of community spirit, meaning any anti-social behaviour which in the past would have been dealt with by neighbors disapproval and apropriate action, aided by common-sense local policing, now needs the Stasi-like involvement of mass surveillance. Who was it who said that anarchy is not far below the polite surface of society or words to that effect?

- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK

Welcolm to the brave 'new world' uplands of David Cameron and his right wing local councils!

I suppose this scheme might prove useful on checking MPs and whose wives they are using instead of their own!!

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex

It's amazing how nearly all the posters immediately jump on the defensive, with comments like 'We're being spied on'! - Do none of you see the potential for calls like 'group of scary looking youths armed with weapons, hanging around the area' before someone else gets killed?
All this bleating about 'civil liberties' and 'personal freedoms' usually comes from middle class pinkos, safe in their ivory towers!
Anyone with nothing to hide has nothing to fear!

- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland

When I grew up, Harrow was just another quiet English town but since the influx of foreigners, the place has gone to pot.
- Kathy Doyle, London

So I take it you'll be signing up to spy on them?

- David, N10

Janice: surely the problems here are 1) these particular snoopers are going to be vetted and trained, suggesting some kind of selection process for something which ordinary folk should - and can - do anyhow, and 2) it's costing you £100,000 per year on top of what you already pay in taxes for the police to do this work anyhow.

- Roz, France

Can't see anything wrong with this. We are all quick to moan about crime and anti social behaviour in London and as soon as an organisation tries to do something about it we shoot them down and start comparing them to East Germany. As always, if you aren't doing anything wrong, you've got nothing to worry about.

- Chris, London

And who snoops on the snoopers?
More video cameras to install I suppose!

- Tony Wingfield, Nice - France

On a day that elsewhere the world is celebrating 20 years since the removal of the Stazi and its Political Ruling class in East Germany, we find it has reappeared in Harrow.

- Ian B, Reading, England

Well said NJ.

Some of these comments are ludicrous in the extreme. In the 'good old days' people used to take responsibilty for their neighbourhoods and it just called neighbourliness. Today councils have to 'employ' people to be good neighbours. I'm no fan of Tory councils but in this instance I think they are doing the right thing. They're not asking the good people of Harrow to inform on people's religious or political leanings, just fly tipping and anti social behaviour so not very much like communist Russia at all !!

- Richard, LONDON

If local communities acted like proper communities there would be no need for this. Sadly, the majority of people nowadays stick their heads in the sand and don't want to get involved in anything. All they do is moan but do nothing about it themselves. Also maybe if we had a police service who patrolled our streets, that we, the taxpayers pay for in our community charge, there would be no need for these snoopers.

- Sue, Orpington, Kent

Who cares what the Taxpayers' Alliance say. Not me, for one. Had Liberty raised this issue, I would take notice. However, it is pointless getting aggravated by a bunch of Tory bloggers who spend their time knocking local democracy and ignore real financial scandals - like corporate fraud and tax avoidance, military procurement of helicopters that can't fly and bailing out failing banks with our taxes and still giving bonuses to the culprits.

- Austen, London

NJ: Making you believe you are actually helping is exactly what they want you to believe. This is tactic that has been used throughout history to deceive people while having a secret agenda!

No real good can come out of this. Soon people will be too scared to do anything and we will be living in a repressed state.

- Kelly Clarke, Chelsford, Essex

All they need now then is brown shirts and swastikas.
What a dreadful place my erstwhile homeland has become.

- Ray, Sydney

Neil it's funny you say 'it is the beginning of the police state'. This has been happening for the last 10 years.We are the most watched country in the world. When will the masses wake up, maybe if they turn off X factor.

- Lisa, Fulham

The Lib Dems in Islington have been running the area like National Socialists since they came to power earlier in the decade. Both Tories and Labour would do well to look at the LibDems behaviour in Islington, it demonstrates many reasons why no one should ever vote LibDem, the are a classic example of a political elite governing in their own interests. The salaries of "Executive Counsellors" in Islington has all the hallmarks of MPs expenses. Perhaps something the Standard should look more closely at too.

Nick Clegg will never be a fit political leader until he scourges his Islington Mafia.

- Ian, London

There was a time - not so long ago, when we used to criicise Russia and East Germany for doing exactly the same thing i.e. spying on neighbours.

When I grew up, Harrow was just another quiet English town but since the influx of foreigners, the place has gone to pot.

- Kathy Doyle, London

John Bull. You are an idiot. This is not Brown's doing. The council in question is TORY controlled. Think before you rant.

- Jonathan Fraser, Chelsea, London.

Its about time people stopped being so accepting of crime and anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods; people's lives are made a misery by the levels of crime and general anti-social behaviour in London. People should be encouraged to report such behaviour- it makes people take a greater interest in, and resposnsiblity for, their local environment, and will lead to a reduction in crime and other actions that blight our lives in London.

- Martha, London, UK

Surely this is an infringement of one's HUMAN RIGHTS?

- Ray C, London

Desperate times call for desperate measures -- so well done Harrow ! Anything that will help as we spiral downwards into the gutter is welcome. The silent minority who take pride in their communities will support the plan. The majority, many of whom couldn't give a damn, will oppose. So opinion polling is pointless. Just do it !

- Ernest, Dulwich, London

To Alex of London.

I have a lot of problems with fly tippers. I know it doesn't sound like murder, but it's anti-social to come out and find broken office machinery dumped against your garden wall and all over the pavement.

We get this regularly, so I'd be very happy to see a team of 'snoopers' catch these people in the act and stop them from doing it.

- Anthony, Esher, Surrey

Sorry folks but I don't see what the problem is. It's only neighbourhood watch after all. I don't do anything wrong ( I know I know... what a boring sod!!) so if anyone wants to "spy" on me then let them. They'll be bored rigid very quickly. If people complain, it's only because they've obviously got something to hide and in the wrong. Once again, sorry folks....but there really isn't a problem here.

- Janicebyrne, sussex

This is symptomatic of the fact that local authorities are far too autonomous and have much too much power. Over the past decade, local councils have had hundreds of billions thrown at them. Instead of spending this money on essential services like repairing roads and pavements, investing in local public transport and collecting litter, council leaders have decided to spend the money on their own pet schemes and projects like this one. These petty officials like snooping on people and bossing people around and they are also using taxpayers' money to pay themselves huge salaries and pensions. The next government will have to get a grip of local councils, slash their budgets and change the law so they do what they are supposed to do and not what they want to.

- Matt, London UK

Get off your high horses about a surveillance state, comparisons to East Germany and other such paranoid rubbish. Everyone moans about the levels of crime and how someone should do something about it but they seem to think that “somebody” shouldn’t include them. If people don’t get involved and proactively help the police and local authorities in reporting anti-social behaviour and crime then how do they expect them to do anything about it? The police cannot be everywhere at once, and it is extremely unlikely they just happen to be passing when an incident occurs; they rely on honest law-abiding citizens to be their eyes and ears. A small amount of intelligence can be extremely useful to help local officers proactively police their neighbourhood to stop crime before it occurs or to charge and (hopefully) ensure a successful prosecution if a crime does. I appreciate that this is a revelation to some people here who would rather stand idly by as crime and anti-social behaviour gets worse in their local area and then blame the police and politicians because it’s easier than getting involved to make their communities a better place to live.

- Nj, London

Two comments to make:

(1) How will administer the system and make it fair. The appeal procedure will eat up that 100k in no time.
(2) Will I get a discount on my council tax if I snoop, since I am doing a job for teh council?

This is terrible.

- Artfuldodger128, London

Tell you what, here's a solution get more police out patrolling the streets.I mean it's what I pay my tax for! Even those plastic (community) police are better than nothing.
Why do they need to recruit people to grass up their neighbours, I'm more than happy to report my neighbours for anything, when they annoy me.

- Triffidqueen, Desk in London

This is outrageous. The big brother state is here.We are the watched nation in the world.

- Mandy, soho

Words fail me! This is SO worrying as to be almost unbelievable. How soon before someone abuses this in pure vindictiveness and "innocent" people are harrassed?

- Philip Booker, Brighton UK

So the Gestapo was spying on fly-tippers and noisy neighbours. Is this why we went to war? I thought they were a bit nastier than that.

- Alex, London, UK

Do they get paid? If so, I'm game. The hell with the principle; I need to EAT!

- Ross Mccaunter, Harrow, Eng.

Anyone approached in Harrow by the Council should be told to get lost Thats only way to defeat this vindictive nonsense If the police cannot do their job properly thats tough They are paid through council tax by the people of Harrow. The council should not be asking citizens to do this

- Sheila, london uk

Rex says welcome to the "..new East Germany.." How about hello to the old Nazi Germany. How low is this country going to sink?

- Crest, st peter port

This is exactly how the Stasi operated in East Germany.

With the unelected taking power in Brussels & McBruun & his cabinet of unelected peers handing over power via the Lisbon Treaty, I think we are in trouble.

- John Bull, London

Welcome to the freak-zone; UK 2009 nightmare!

- Jules_London, london

Forgive me for not being over dramatic and cynical but isn't this just neighbourhood watch? It very much depends how the community deal with it. It doesn't have to be East Germany, just neighbourliness.

ps it's a Tory council so will David Cameron clamp down on them when he is Prime Minister since he has proclaimed such opposition to this kind of state surveillance. For that matter, what about the present City Hall incumbent doing something now??

- Richard, LONDON

The use of informers by extremist regimes during the 20th century is well documented. Informers, whether employed by the Stasi or the Gestapo (or even by British Intelligence in Ireland) always end up confusing the picture by using the system to settle personal and petty grievances, albeit by extreme means and with extreme consequences for the objects of their bile. However, this historical perspective may not be apparent to the young Turks currently having their hands on the levers of power in local government as their education may not have been all that they think it has been. The use of informers inevitabl degrades society so, if we are to put a stop to this, the public must do so by active communication with their representatives and at the ballot box. If they do not there will be a high price to pay.

- Peter Haldane, Chelmsford

The sheeple in the UK, now known as EUSSR, will not be happy until they are crushed, put in a box and dropped six feet under in the nearest grave yard.

Welcome to Third World banana republic Police State bankrupt cesspit EUSSR.

- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR

It's all Gordon Brown's fault, obviously. Even though the Conservatives hold power with 35 out of 63 seats on Harrow Council.

- Tom, London, UK

Good grief, I just read the other article on the Standard website about the Stasi in East Berlin. Exactly the same tactics were used!

- George, London

Britain gave up on civil liberties a long time ago, this council arrangement for spying is just another step for a nation on its way to a Totalitarianism state.

- Mr S.Port, London

When I was at school 60 years ago the greatest crime was telling tales on your classmates...how things have changed. What next, the modern equivalent of the witchfinder general?

- Johnty, United Kingdom

Congratulations britain , you are now officially the new east germany , enjoy.

- Rex White, melbourne australia

Getting people to spy on and denounce their fellow citizens is straight out of Nineteen Eighty-Four. It is the beginnings of the police state. Most people will go along with it though, because they know no better and think it makes them "safe".

- Neil, London, London UK

Will they get spouses to report on each other and kids to shop their teachers, or is it just my imagination that this scheme sounds like something from beyond the Berlin Wall? If someone is breaking the law it should of course be reported - the motivation is to have social norms upheld to keep the place nice for everyone. I don't see why some people should need to be 'vetted and trained' by the police in order to do what is right as a responsible citizen. And why does a neighbourhood watch scheme cost £100,000 per year to run: is their village hall particularly expensive to hire for an evening . . . ? My grandmother lived in Harrow 20 years ago and I feel compelled to say that for the 30 or so years she lived there before that it didn't need to be 'a better place'.

- Roz, France

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