It was less tech and more the worry about kidnapping and antisocial behaviour. As people became "less local" as in, you didn't know the people in your street,

It was less tech and more the worry about kidnapping and antisocial behaviour. As people became "less local" as in, you didn't know the people in your street, it meant that unaccompanied kids could be more of a shit without their parent's finding out. More old people getting or feeling threatened meant that something must be done. ASBOs were one thing, but also the feat that your kids might be mixed up in that sort of stuff, meant that free-range kids were the preserve of "seen to be failing" families