LONDON, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- British officials are set to take the first steps in a controversial security plan aimed at placing X-ray surveillance cameras on area lampposts.
The Sun newspaper said that leaked Home Office documents revealed the proposal for the heightened security measure and British government officials are now preparing for a public backlash.
Yet the Jan. 17 document admitted the plan's potential faults in addition to the increased security it could potentially offer British citizens.
"The social acceptability of routine intrusive detection measures and the operational response required in the event of an alarm are likely to be limiting factors," the memo said. "Privacy is an issue because the machines see through clothing."
The proposed X-ray cameras also represent the most recent security endeavor from the British government. The Sun said that the nation's security officials have previously considered fingerprint scanners used to reduce theft, facial recognition software and tagging area offenders with electronic devices.
