Speaking in the Star Wars villain’s distinctive breathing voice, he told San Diego City councillors: “This is what the emperor needs. This technology will help us find the rebel scum and the hidden base on Hoth.”

He then appeared to turn against the cameras, warning that they could follow “rebel scum as they move from playground to playground, from playground to pool, from pool to gymnasium, because we all know that the Flock cameras are not only following the license plate readers, they are following children.”

He later accused the council of using “doublespeak” and told councillor Jennifer Campbell: “Ms. Campbell, you must work on your Jedi mind tricks.”

His final plea was for the cameras to “help us find Luke Skywalker as he traverses the universe in his X-wing”.

“This technology is a necessary, necessary force,” he concluded.

San Diego has more than 550 Flock cameras, which record vehicle information including number plates, makes and models. Critics have raised concerns over mass surveillance and potential misuse by police.