Children as young as seven are being recruited by councils to act
as 'citizen snoopers', the Daily Mail can reveal.
The 'environment volunteers' will report on litter louts, noisy neighbours
- and even families putting their rubbish out on the wrong day.
There are currently almost 9,000 people signed up to the schemes.
More are likely to be recruited in the coming months.
Controversially, some councils are running 'junior' schemes which
are recruiting children.
After basic training, volunteers are expected to be the 'eyes and
the ears' of the town hall.
They are given information packs about how to collect evidence, including
tips about writing down numberplates, which could later be used in
criminal prosecutions.
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Luton Borough Council's Street Seen scheme encourages its 650 volunteers
to report 'environmental concerns'. It is also recruiting 'Junior
Street Champions', aged between seven and 11.
Primary schools could also be involved within two years.
Similarly, Islington Council in north London has recruited 1,200 'Islington
Eyes' to report crime hotspots, fly-tipping and excess noise from
DIY.
