A council is enlisting 2,000 resident spies to report anti-social behaviour by their neighbours, it emerged today.
The recruits, described by town hall chiefs as ‘Neighbourhood Champions’, will pass on evidence of graffiti, fly-tipping, litter and excessive noise.
They could even be trained to report child abuse, domestic violence, racial harassment and other ‘hate crimes’.
The plan is expected to be approved this week by Harrow Council, North-West London.
The borough says the scheme, which has police backing, will increase pride in the community.
But critics today raised fears over civil liberties, warning that it is the latest example of a ‘surveillance society’ that has created an army of ‘citizen snoopers’ acting as the eyes and ears of their town hall.
Read more in the Daily Mail.