An anti-terrorism radio ad calling on Britons to report their neighbours if they keep their curtains closed or pay for things in cash has been banned by the UK advertising watchdog. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the ad would cause "serious offence" to ordinary law-abiding citizens. The ad, which can still be heard on the Metropolitan Police website (mp3), describes a man who "likes to keep himself to himself", doesn't have a bank card and keeps his curtains closed. At the end, the voice advises that "this may mean nothing, but together it could all add up to you having suspicions," before urging listeners to call the police if they have the slightest concern.
The US didn't give a rat's arse about money laundering regulations until somebody flew a couple of planes into a couple of prominent buildings...
Then again, the call to "report your neighbour" is troubling, but the UK is a country where as a result of IRA bombing campaigns there were no rubbish bins on the streets in Central London and airport announcements tell you that unattended baggage "will be removed and may be destroyed"... By laying out pros and cons we risk inducing people to join the debate, and losing control of a process that only we fully understand. - Alan Greenspan
