Residents of Ludlow who see dog owners allowing their pets to foul the footpath and who then fail to clean up after them should take a photo with their mobile phone.

By sending that photo to the Council, suggested the newly elected Mayor, Martin Taylor-Smith, offenders could be identified. Promising a zero tolerance approach to selfish dog owners, Councillor Taylor-Smith said it was important that Ludlow presents itself in the best possible way for the benefit of both visitors and locals.

A Shropshire market town on the English-Welsh borders, Ludlow is perhaps better known for its castle, the ruins of which still stand, and for in the 15th century having effectively been the capital of Wales.

As for Councillor Taylor-Smith, a former IBM manager who served with both the Royal Artillery and Territorial Army, he previously failed to be elected to Parliament as the Conservative candidate for Ludlow in the 2001 General Election, losing the seat to the Liberal Democrats.

Of course, there can be little argument that failing to clean up after your dog is antisocial and irresponsible. It can also prove expensive. The Dog Act 1996 means offenders face a £50 on the spot penalty. Refusal to pay can result in a court appearance and a fine of £1,000.

However, asking individuals to use their mobile phones to spy and snitch on their fellow citizens is a disconcerting development. And, with police budgets under ever increasing pressure, there is no reason why the authorities should not consider offering a reward to anybody providing the “evidence” leading to a successful prosecution.

Indeed there is no reason why mobile phones could not be a means of privatising many aspects of law enforcement.

Use your handset to video somebody driving dangerously or parking illegally. Or capture on camera litter being dropped, drugs being dealt, goods being stolen, fares evaded or benefits abused. Help clean up your community, the advertisements might one day proclaim, and you too can cash in.

By enlisting us all as Big Bother’s little helpers the government would be able to reduce the number of policemen needed on the street and increase the revenues raised from fines and penalties. And, with unemployment still rising, there are many who might be happy to earn a few extra coppers freelancing in such manner.

It’s an idea that would have appealed no doubt to the Stasi, and may yet have an attraction for many more totalitarian regimes. But hopefully it’s not a use to which many British citizens will wish to put their handsets.

If Councillor Taylor-Smith really wishes to clean up Ludlow he might be better off going out with a pooper-scooper rather than asking us to spy on our neighbours.

His alternative could too easily leave us all standing an odious, unpleasant mess.