A leaked Home Office proposal would require GPs, charity staff and  public sector workers to tip off the police of any customer or patient they fear may commit a violent crime.

The move sparked outrage that innocent people would be presumed guilty and put under watch without any firm evidence.

It is seen as yet another expansion of “surveillance Britain”.

General Secretary of the GMB public services union, Brian Strutton, said: “Council workers would live in fear of recriminations. There is no question that these proposals would give rise to grave dangers for council workers.”

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: “Do we not already have enough of a surveillance society without recruiting council staff and charity volunteers to snoop on their customers?”

Do we not already have enough of a surveillance society?

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis