A device that would enable police to stop vehicles
remotely is being considered by an EU-wide official
working group, it has emerged.
The feasibility of such technology is being examined by
members of the European Network of Law Enforcement
Technology Services (Enlets).
The technology could impact on both road safety and
civil liberties.
The BBC understands it would take several years for any
such technical proposal to be drafted.
One EU document, from 4 December, sets out the Enlets
2014-20 work programme as including: "Remote
Stopping Vehicles".
It says "this project will work on a technological
solution that can be a 'build in standard' for all cars
that enter the European market". It is not clear what
cost implications that would have for car makers.
The work of Enlets is little known and has emerged in
part through documents published by the civil liberties
campaign group Statewatch.
The December document points out that "cars on the
run have proven to be dangerous for citizens" and
"criminal offenders (from robbery to a simple theft) will
take risks to escape after a crime.
"In most cases the police are unable to chase the
criminal due to the lack of efficient means to stop the
vehicle safely. This project starts with the knowledge
that insufficient technology tools are available to be
used as part of a proportionate response."
So far there is no technical specification for the type of
device that police forces may eventually use.
Enlets is part of the EU Council's Law Enforcement
Working Party - an intergovernmental body helping
police to fight serious and organised crime, in part by
raising awareness of new technology.
But the BBC understands that the project is at the early
stages of looking into feasibility, and that the UK
government has no plans at present to install remote
stopping devices in private vehicles.
A source familiar with Enlets said it was unlikely that
such devices could be in new cars by the end of the
decade.
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