🚀 go-pugleaf

"crofters" <crofterscan@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:aruh7j$q24$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...
> filling up today, i saw a small notice on the pump warning about having
> means to pay before drawing fuel etc, and that they are instructed by
local
> (sussex) police to take your photo and thumbprint, should you not pay
within an
> agreed period.  wouldn't this be against some human rights, or privacy
laws? thought only
> the police had authority to take prints, and only then when arrested, not
> before.  also, who holds the information, and for how long? someone could
easily
> forget a wallet, and get a police record!

The practice is not a violation of any civil rights or privacy laws.
Remember, you have no obligation to give your fingerprint to the owner.  If
you can't pay for the gasoline, the merchant has the right to call the
police and have you arrested.  You are offered the alternative of signing a
promise to pay and leaving a fingerprint.  It's your choice.  You cannot be
forced to leave your fingerprint or even your signature with the merchant.

Nobody needs any "authority" to take fingerprints.

I don't know anything about that law or procedure except what you posted, so
I can't say how the print would be kept.  I don't see any reason for
concern.  We leave our fingerprints all over town, on counter tops, on
merchandise, on checks and credit card slips, gasoline pump handles, etc.
The police don't collect the prints if the customer pays, I'm sure.  And how
long a merchant hangs on to old, useless records depends on the merchant's
packrat personality, I suppose.

The whole procedure probably stems from police budget limitations.  They
probably lobbied for the law and/or procedure so they wouldn't get the
calls.  Next they'll be trying it for burglary.  (That was a joke)

McGyver