O'Tink, THAT makes my blood run cold... because I have seen that same thing here...I already posted this a while back, it happened in Iowa, however maybe bears repeating...
Tenants at the senior apts. where I lived (and was evicted) were congregating to discuss options for mitigating harsh management policies. When management learned of this, they quickly installed about 200 (YES, 200) surveillance cameras...for tenant security and comfort of course! However only one camera was trained upon each (already locked and secure) outside entry, the rest were spread through the 11 residential floors! One or two cameras surveilled each apartment door, several looked down on every possible gathering place.
This kind of surveillance is VERY effective.
The point is that here in the USA, with our tradition of individual freedom and personal rights, you begin with the most vulnerable populations, those least likely to resist...and I am currently discussing with friends as to why old people are so easily intimidated, but we are...and I fear we USA will soon have cameras everywhere...
So my blood is cold because I think that Chinese policy is already beginning here surreptitiously, in the name of "protecting" people...and like China, in Iowa the avowed purpose was to "deter crime."
btw, my computer did open the BBC link, and might be able to play the video if I tinker some more...