Secret EU plan to let police stop cars remotely: reports
01 Feb 2014
In a secret move senior police officials across the EU had been considering the feasibility of remote vehicle stopping, a report said, with a proposal suggesting the inclusion of the capability 'standard' for all new cars in the region.
The plan document was leaked by civil liberties group, Statewatch.
The document was put together by European Network of Law Enforcement Technology Services (Enlets), a group that aims at building cooperation across EU states in the adoption of technology in policing. Though, not much was known about Enlets, it emerged as part of the EU Council's Law Enforcement Working Party, a European initiative designed to tackle organised crime.
According to the page, Enlets had a contact in every EU country ''who is responsible for collecting information on the technological needs and for presenting those needs to Enlets''.
The report, first sent from Brussels and dated 4 December, 2013, reads: ''Cars on the run have proven to be dangerous for citizens. Criminal offenders (from robbery to a simple theft) will take risks to escape after a crime.
In most cases the police are unable to chase the criminal due to the lack of efficient means to stop the vehicle safely. This project starts with the knowledge that insufficient tools are available to be used as part of a proportionate response.
''This project will work on a technological solution that can be a ''built in standard'' for all cars that enter the European market.''
The device, could be imposed within a decade, and allow police to track the movements of vehicles as also immobilise them.
Critics slamming the plan and have questioned whether the government would be liable if remote kill-switches led to collisions.
The Daily Telegraph reported that, a group of senior EU officials, including several from the UKs home office, had signed on the proposal at a secret meeting in Brussels.
"Cars on the run can be dangerous for citizens," the document reportedly says.
"Criminal offenders will take risks to escape after a crime. In most cases the police are unable to chase the criminal due to a lack of efficient means to stop the vehicle safely.
"The project will work on a technological solution that can be a "build in standard" for all cars that enter the European market."
Enlets has come out with a timetable to ensure the technology was fully developed by 2020.
The measure, referred to as a 'key objective', would allow officers to end dangerous high speed chases.
The proposal has drawn the hackles of MPs, who described the plans as 'incredible' and 'draconian' proposal.
Some have said that at high speed using the system could be more dangerous than a chase.
