In London, Big Brother is watching you... from the sofa

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — Reality television a turn-off? Not in London, where residents are now switching on to help the police fight crime, without even leaving their living rooms.

Shoreditch TV is a new venture in London's East End where residents monitor more than 400 close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras dotted around the area.

The channel's aim is to "put each resident in the front line against crime" and has the handy catchphrase: "Fight crime from your sofa."

Images from the cameras change every 30 seconds on screen. If viewers spot anything suspicious, they can access a "rogues gallery", comprising of names and photos of anyone under surveillance for anti-social behaviour or petty crime.

An anonymous e-mail can then be sent directly to police using a...