Crime Commissioner proposes that all bikes should be tracked
Cops could see your speed and location
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, has suggested fitting trackers to all motorcycles “so their whereabouts and speed can be monitored”.
“I don’t mean our law-abiding bikers here,” said McGuinness, who has urged the Policing Minister to give the idea the green light. “I’m talking trouble-makers, often young people riding un-roadworthy bikes.” But there are clear ramifications for all bikers according to Craig Carey-Clinch of the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC).
“It is unfortunate Ms McGuinness chose not to consult motorcyclists in Northumbria before making this proposal and we would urge her to make contact with NMC member organisation representatives. “Most motorcyclists are lawabiding and won’t appreciate feeling they are all being put on something akin to a criminal ‘tagging’ sanction. This is sadly a poorly thought through idea which would guarantee negative impacts for legitimate riders, not least on their privacy, but is unlikely to impact on law-breakers – whose first action would be simply to disable or remove the trackers.” Carey-Clinch has pointed out several key issues with the proposal, including its discriminatory nature, the difficulty of integrating such technology in reality and the lack of police resources to enforce its use.
‘This is akin to criminal tagging for all riders’
He added: “The NMC is prepared to participate in a full debate but there is a need for greater police resources being utilised effectively for traditional enforcement and measures to reduce theft, rather than a ‘big brother’ approach.”