OPERATION HAWK: invasion of privacy?

Greater Manchester Police recently launched an operation which aims to combat street robbery all over greater Manchester. The tactics they use in doing this range from Regular on-foot beat bobbies to the use of the helicopter (known as India 99).

They also have a couple of special yellow vans with on-board camera units which supposedly film the crooks, but on three occasions I have heard from people who say they have been filmed for no reason., and I myself was once filmed (I think) as I was walking down the road.
I don't think it is right that the police should be filming innocent people going about their daily routines.
Send me your opinions on this subject

Below :Two officers show the camera-vans.