A few years ago I read 1984 and became transfixed by Orwell’s idea of a future where our every move is controlled and even love and emotion are deemed unacceptable (I have some friends who conform to that idea, mind you!). Fast forward a few years and it seems I can hardly move without being watched. From ID cards and CCTV glaring down at me everywhere I go to retina scans at airports, thumb print scans at members clubs like Molton House and even my trusted loyalty cards happily storing up information on my shopping habits whilst my Oyster Card merrily logs my comings and goings. It’s hard to be anonymous these days, even in the Big Smoke.

If you’ve read any papers recently you can’t have missed the raging debate as to whether or not the police are right in insisting on bars having CCTV installed before they have their licences approved. The Met claim it will help in their fight against crime, some landlords and civil rights campaigners argue that it infringes on our right to privacy.

I think that there aren’t many landlords and venue owners of London pubs and bars who are going to put their licence at risk by not doing everything possible to make sure they receive approval. This isn’t a new idea by any means - SeOne was closed after trouble and has installed cameras and now everyone has to take scannable ID and the records are kept on file. I’ve seen the glinty stare of cameras in some of my favourite pubs - The Marquis in Covent Garden, for example, has cameras keeping an eye out. This by no means puts me off having a drink there, neither do I feel watched over. Then again, maybe I’m just desensitised to cameras nowadays?

I do think that it may prove vital in solving some crimes. I’ve had friends who have been the victims of unprovoked attacks in bars and CCTV may have helped. Then again, where does it stop? Will I have to have my fingerprints scanned in the future just to enjoy a pint at my local the Blind Beggar or maybe boozers will have to use the airport-style scanners of clubs like matter. I expect a higher level of security at superclubs in London but our favourite watering holes? After all the drama of happy hour bans and new laws to stop binge drinking, you have to feel bad for already impoverished landlords.

What do you think?