It had to happen sooner or later. Apparently, the villagers are revolting in the UK, and Google Street View is the culprit.

A group of villagers in Broughton, near London, chased the Google Street View car out of town (presumably without the aid of pitchforks and blazing torches). They blocked its path and called the police, claiming the service was invading their privacy and facilitating crime.

Google’s view on the incident was that they sometimes encounter “unexpected challenges”. Having the police called may be an “unexpected challenge” to Google, but it would certainly put a dent in my day.

According to CNN, the residents were worried that having their homes on Google Street View would entice criminals to the area. Which makes a lot of sense, except that local residents then gave interviews to national newspapers pointing out that they live in an affluent area. Thus neatly stepping all over their privacy point.

Never mind, perhaps burglars don’t read the Times of London.