Report - Guardian

118 The LSE Identity Project Report: June 2005medical problems would be of great benefit to the individual and theemergency services.“Public Disorder: The ability to quickly verify personal identity atpublic order or critical incidents would be invaluable. Quickvalidation of the details of witnesses and suspects would again lead tosignificant service improvements to those involved in police enquiriesand those carrying out investigations.“Bureaucracy: As can be seen from the above examples the potentialfor reducing policing bureaucracy are significant. “Portable readers”of the biometric information contained on ID cards wouldundoubtedly save time and cost for the public and police officers.” 308Similarly, the Police Federation claims that“Stop and Search procedures would be greatly improved following theintroduction of identity cards. Firstly, police officers would be able toidentify individuals beyond doubt. Secondly, curtailing the time takento conduct stop and searches would enhance an individual's liberty.Thirdly, this time saving would also greatly benefit the police,allowing officers to spend more time policing the streets. If identitycards were compatible with a system of police smart card readers,officers would simply be able to check if and when they or theircolleagues had stopped an individual before. This would ensure thatthe same individuals are not repeatedly searched within a given timeperiod.”309The police therefore envisage some form of tracking capability to monitor who has beenstopped and searched.It is important to recall at this point that the police are calling for compulsory ID cards,with a consequent compulsion to carry them:“Our views on compulsion to carry ID cards remain unchanged. Theoverwhelming view within ACPO is that the ID card scheme shouldoperate on a “compulsory” and “universal” basis. Whilst weunderstand the rationale behind the proposed incremental approach webelieve there are benefits to be accrued if individuals were required tocarry or produce the card upon request to an appropriate authority.Those engaged in criminal activity will not be deterred if the schemeis not robust.” 310ID Cards would also make the enforcement of ASBOs “far easier”. 311308 Ibid.309 Police Federation to the HAC.310 ACPO to the HAC.311 Police Federation to the HAC.