The notice went on to say that nationals of certain countries are obliged to report to the police. They need to turn up with their passport, a couple of photos, their work permit (if they have one) and £34. That's the amount needed for the police to put your name on a list so they can keep an eye on you.

And the countries in question? Not too many surprises there - the focus seems to be on places where Western Civilisation is not appreciated as it should be: So most Arab countries are on the list along with ex-Soviet republics and other central Asian countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. In addition those nasty Communists in China, North Korea and Cuba are on the list. Colombia and Argentina also get the nod for some reason. I guess there's still too many radical Unionists in the former (the death squads haven't been effective enough); and too much discontent in the latter after free trade reform left one or two out of work and out of food...

I feel very bloody reassured to think that the police are spending their time checking up on people from dodgy places. I'm a little hazy as to just what it's in aid of though: Terrorists seems to be the enemy these days so maybe that's what it's all about?

OR MAYBE it's about racist fucking rules which assume that people from one country are more dangerous/ more different/ more bearded/ more trouble than people from another. Maybe it's because the government and the police think they have the right to track the movements of a visitor to this country because they're of a certain nationality. Well fuck that - I don't know how to change this, or who to complain to but it's racist bigotry and it's completely out of order.