More police misbehaviour: are they trying to deliberately wind the public up?

[PHILIPE]

It's official, YouGov polls are nonsense (not that we didn't know that already): they think the following is representative of plain-clothed officer support:

https://twitter.com/PoliticsForAlI/status/1372305789180899329

View attachment 92599
As some of the replies pointed out, those who frequent nightclubs and do YouGov polls probably don't overlap.

Government Gimmick

 

[Islineclear3_1]

No point me voting, last time I went to a nightclub was er...early 1980s....

 

[pitdiver]

My wife's opinion is that she hopes there isn't s sharp rise in Covid 19 infections due to this, in her words "Stupid demonstration". Lets hope there isn't
My opinion is what ever the Police do they are on to a loser.

 

[AlterEgo]

Who voted though? I haven't been in a nightclub for over 20 years so if they asked me i couldn't see how my opinion would be valid. (I'd oppose it though).

Probably people who don't go to nightclubs. There's absolutely no way a plain clothes police officer a) wouldn't stand out, and b) would stop any actual crime.

 

[bramling]

My wife's opinion is that she hopes there isn't s sharp rise in Covid 19 infections due to this, in her words "Stupid demonstration". Lets hope there isn't
My opinion is what ever the Police do they are on to a loser.

We need to get away from this idea of everything being a health risk. Personally I probably wouldn’t join a mass demonstration at the moment, but equally I am prepared to recognise that others may well wish to.

We have already had it since 9/11 where “security” has been widely used as the standard reason to stop people doing certain activities, something we still have two decades later. We need to be very wary of “public health” being the same. It’s a gift for people like the Acton Bridge couple to use as a means of stopping others doing things, and that’s something we need to avoid.

Sooner or later we really need to get back to a way of life where people can do what they want (within reason, obviously) without being made to feel guilty about it.

 

[greyman42]

Cringeworthy how the officer touches his mask every few seconds.

Everyday there is a new example of quite how braindead the Police are, it beggars belief how they get the job if they can’t learn the basics. In this example this simpleton decides that there are flavours of lanyards.

It might help if he took his hands out of his pockets when dealing with the public.

 

[WelshBluebird]

We have already had it since 9/11 where “security” has been widely used as the standard reason to stop people doing certain activities, something we still have two decades later. We need to be very wary of “public health” being the same. It’s a gift for people like the Acton Bridge couple to use as a means of stopping others doing things, and that’s something we need to avoid.

You'll never stop some people from being busybodies and sticking their neck into other people's business. If it wasn't health, as you say it would be security, but if it wasn't security it would be something else. That shouldn't be a reason against putting in additional measures where needed. The real debate is what is needed, and different people will disagree on certain things there. That applies for health, security, the usual tabloid complaint of "health and safety" and much more too.

Take your security example - police, railway staff, the general public and railway customers all being aware of security related things (unattended bags etc) isn't a bad thing in itself. Neither are some of the procedures in use at airports. The problems come when people who don't really understand what is required take it upon themselves to push their own agenda of what they think. So a common security related one is police stopping people taking pictures of landmarks / at stations etc - there is literally nothing about taking photos that in itself is a security issue, but people who want to put their foot down on people taking photos will try to use it as an excuse. Hell there's enough examples of police and the general public thinking taking photos in public at all (especially where strangers are in the frame) is illegal too. You can't legislate for people either sticking their neck in where it doesn't belong or just generally being idiots.

 

[bramling]

You'll never stop some people from being busybodies and sticking their neck into other people's business. If it wasn't health, as you say it would be security, but if it wasn't security it would be something else. That shouldn't be a reason against putting in additional measures where needed. The real debate is what is needed, and different people will disagree on certain things there. That applies for health, security, the usual tabloid complaint of "health and safety" and much more too.

Take your security example - police, railway staff, the general public and railway customers all being aware of security related things (unattended bags etc) isn't a bad thing in itself. Neither are some of the procedures in use at airports. The problems come when people who don't really understand what is required take it upon themselves to push their own agenda of what they think. So a common security related one is police stopping people taking pictures of landmarks / at stations etc - there is literally nothing about taking photos that in itself is a security issue, but people who want to put their foot down on people taking photos will try to use it as an excuse. Hell there's enough examples of police and the general public thinking taking photos in public at all (especially where strangers are in the frame) is illegal too. You can't legislate for people either sticking their neck in where it doesn't belong or just generally being idiots.

I agree, which is why measures which are genuinely being introduced for control of matters like security or public health need to be extremely carefully implemented, to ensure it isn’t a gifthorse for neurotic busybody types, or worse those who simply seem to take delight in attempting to stop others doing things. In other words, completely the opposite of the clumsy bull-in-china-shop we’ve seen from Johnson / Hancock / Dick / certain police forces.

Busybody types are enough of a problem without ill-informed police officers and clumsy government messaging on top of it. I suspect one of the unfortunate lasting legacies of all this is going to be a subset of people who feel empowered in interfering with the (legitimate) actions of others.

 

[squizzler]

My wife's opinion is that she hopes there isn't s sharp rise in Covid 19 infections due to this, in her words "Stupid demonstration". Lets hope there isn't
My opinion is what ever the Police do they are on to a loser.

I think so-called superseder events are overrated. A few people will probably pass various maladies onto each other, but in the national infection rate even a large protest is probably a drop in the ocean, and gathering outdoors is actually quite safe. A bit how massive motorway pileups make the news because they look shocking but make up only a small proportion of total road traffic casualty statistics, and actually motorways are relatively safe compared to other highways.

 

[NorthKent1989]

On the contrary; while you are entitled to your views, I find it is your view that are utterly mystifying.

Not a useful comparison

Authoritarians like to think that the disgraceful, unjust Coronavirus legislation (which is now rightly ignored by what appears to be a majority of people in some form or another) can over-rule existing laws, such as human rights legislation, but this is absolutely not true.

This is inaccurate; the police acted illegally and the protesters were entitled to protest.

Your posts are a good reason not to trust the police any more. You cannot silence us and you make me even more determined to speak out.


The videos I have seen from last night show the police committing acts of thuggery; the views of people like you are making me more determined to speak out against it.


The authoritarians who called for and supported the inhumane, oppressive Coronavirus legislation are partly to blame for what happened last night.

I do hope the events of last night turn an increasing number of people off the awful authoritarianism that has blighted us for the past 12 months.

Enough is enough; we cannot tolerate this oppression any longer.

Beautifully put @yorkie!

 

[SJN]

Pensioner given Covid breach warning over socially-distanced cup of tea | ITV News

A pensioner has been given a Covid breach warning by police after having a socially distanced cup of tea in her communal garden. | ITV News West Country

www.itv.com

A pensioner has been given a Covid breach warning by police after having a socially-distanced cup of tea in her communal garden.

The 82-year-old was visited by police after she had been reported for drinking tea outside with neighbours from her sheltered housing complex.

The woman, from Charlton Kings, was watching television in bed when there was a knock at the door at 9.45pm.

The pensioner's daughter Lesley Magovern, 56, from Cheltenham said: “My mother heard a knock at the door and it was very late and she wondered really who it could be.

If this is true, then it’s just ridiculous. I’d be very annoyed if police knocked on my door at that time of night and to do it to an elderly lady for anything other than an emergency is a disgrace.

 

[Bantamzen]

Pensioner given Covid breach warning over socially-distanced cup of tea | ITV News

A pensioner has been given a Covid breach warning by police after having a socially distanced cup of tea in her communal garden. | ITV News West Country

www.itv.com

If this is true, then it’s just ridiculous. I’d be very annoyed if police knocked on my door at that time of night and to do it to an elderly lady for anything other than an emergency is a disgrace.

Utterly unbelievable, and at the same time not unbelievable. What I can't work out what is worse, the fact the the Bill went to warn her, or the fact that some miserable <insert naughty word here> grassed her up.

Great Britain, circa 2021. What a place to live, net curtains twitching everywhere....

 

[duncanp]

Utterly unbelievable, and at the same time not unbelievable. What I can't work out what is worse, the fact the the Bill went to warn her, or the fact that some miserable <insert naughty word here> grassed her up.

Great Britain, circa 2021. What a place to live, net curtains twitching everywhere....

As I said on the support conversation thread, I live in a sheltered housing complex for the over 55s, and it is quite true that there are some miserable curtain twitching <insert naughty word> people who live in these places.

 

[Bantamzen]

As I said on the support conversation thread, I live in a sheltered housing complex for the over 55s, and it is quite true that there are some miserable curtain twitching <insert naughty word> people who live in these places.

I can well imagine sadly. But I mean, you've got to be the most mean-spirited git to call 5-0 on one of your neighbours having a cuppa in the garden. If I were her, I'd be putting a contract out, if you know what I mean...

 

[takno]

Utterly unbelievable, and at the same time not unbelievable. What I can't work out what is worse, the fact the the Bill went to warn her, or the fact that some miserable <insert naughty word here> grassed her up.

Great Britain, circa 2021. What a place to live, net curtains twitching everywhere....

I just don't think it's even against the rules tbh. Otherwise that would mean that all privately-owned communal gardens were off limits.

 

[Mojo]

I just don't think it's even against the rules tbh. Otherwise that would mean that all privately-owned communal gardens were off limits.

It isn't illegal according to a barrister who first shared this story yesterday evening.

 

[duncanp]

I can well imagine sadly. But I mean, you've got to be the most mean-spirited git to call 5-0 on one of your neighbours having a cuppa in the garden. If I were her, I'd be putting a contract out, if you know what I mean...

The thing is, most of these places have an on site manager, during the week at least (mine certainly does)

So if you have any concerns about someone behaving in an antisocial manner, you can speak to the manager, who can then have a quiet word with the person concerned, or send a note round reminding people of the rules.

We have a communal lounge which has been closed for a year now, but we are "allowed" to meet up in the garden.

As I say, no doubt there was a bit of exaggeration in the phone call to the police.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Waiting for the defence offered by some on here to all of these.

 

[LOL The Irony]

- Was socially distanced and broke no guidelines
- Still get a warning from the police

Is this Great Britain or a soviet bloc country? The officers and nosey neighbor should hang their heads in shame.

 

[DelayRepay]

Utterly unbelievable, and at the same time not unbelievable. What I can't work out what is worse, the fact the the Bill went to warn her, or the fact that some miserable <insert naughty word here> grassed her up.

Great Britain, circa 2021. What a place to live, net curtains twitching everywhere....

We are told that transmission is much more likely indoors. We are told that the elderly are especially vulnerable to Covid. We are told to reduce unnecessary contact with others.

So two police officers went into this elderly person's home to reprimand her for meeting someone outdoors. Whether this person had broken the law or not, I believe those police officers exposed her to far more risk than whoever was sat in the garden with her.

 

[RuralRambler]

My son is (well was!) at Uni. He was in a campus flat of 8 students sharing a kitchen - so those 8 are a "bubble" as they're living together. They'd often go out as a group for a takeaway or just to have a walk around. The police do patrols on the campus. On what must have been a quiet day for them, they actually stopped my son and his 7 flatmates and told them it was illegal to be out in a group of more than 6. No amount of telling them that they lived together and were a "bubble" made a difference - they even tried to show the officers their room key fobs which all had the same "flat" key, but the officers were having none of it. Then people wonder why the younger generation have such little respect for police! They later found out that even the uni's own campus security staff were "breaking up" groups of more than six - again, even those who were living together as bubbles. As some of the campus flats held as many as 14 students sharing a kitchen, therefore a bubble, groups of more than six wondering around was actually commonplace.

 

[Ediswan]

My son is (well was!) at Uni.

Would you be willing to name the offending police force ?

 

[LMS 4F]

As someone who is 20 years away from my Policing career I find so much of this puzzling.
In the case of new legislation then all operational staff must be briefed on what it is about and how to enforce it. This could be by way of training, briefing at the start of duty or perhaps an aide memoir issued to all staff. Ideally all 3 and regular updates as the legislation changes which it has done over the last year all too often.
It should be the job of Supervisors, Sergeants and Inspectors to reinforce this and ensure the staff are up to date.
In the case of someone complaining via a Control room then it is for those staff, now often not Officers and their Supervisors to decide on what action to take with the complaint and when any action such as a visit should be undertaken.
It seems to me from my long out of date perspective that as always been the case the poor old infantry on the front line are copping all the flack when in fact it is a system failure of the highest order.
Finally do today’s Officers know that a Constable is an Officer of the Crown and ultimately no one can tell him or her to arrest on any given circumstance? I certainly declined to arrest a demonstrater on one occasion when told to do so by a senior officer. Of course this is not a sure fire way to success although I don’t think it hurt me in the long run,

 

[midland1]

Perhaps the Police officers did not want to pick on someone their own size?

 

[Jan Mayen]

We need to get away from this idea of everything being a health risk. Personally I probably wouldn’t join a mass demonstration at the moment, but equally I am prepared to recognise that others may well wish to.

We have already had it since 9/11 where “security” has been widely used as the standard reason to stop people doing certain activities, something we still have two decades later. We need to be very wary of “public health” being the same. It’s a gift for people like the Acton Bridge couple to use as a means of stopping others doing things, and that’s something we need to avoid.

Sooner or later we really need to get back to a way of life where people can do what they want (within reason, obviously) without being made to feel guilty about it.

Sorry, Acton Bridge couple? I don't know this reference. Please would you enlighten me? Many thanks.

Edit: I assume you mean this story:

'Trainspotting is not essential' – Police called out over Covid lockdown breach

TWO trainspotters have been sent home from Acton Bridge station having been warned their hobby is not a valid reason to be outside in lockdown.

www.northwichguardian.co.uk

 

[johnnychips]

^ There is a householder who lives near Acton Bridge station who has a vendetta against trainspotters and reports them to the police or railway authorities as often as possible. I am sure this was even before the COVID thing. There was a thread on this, but I can’t find it.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Another fine example from our fiends at West Midlands Police.

A probationary police officer who assaulted a woman in a "terrifying" attack has been given a curfew, prompting criticism he was not jailed.
West Midlands Police PC Oliver Banfield grabbed and manhandled Emma Homer last July while drunk. He has been suspended and faces disciplinary action.

PC's curfew sentence for 'terrifying' attack on woman criticised

Oliver Banfield's victim says she thought he was "fulfilling a violent cop movie fantasy".

www.bbc.co.uk

Notice that even though he is probationary he hasn’t been fired....

 

[nedchester]

^ There is a householder who lives near Acton Bridge station who has a vendetta against trainspotters and reports them to the police or railway authorities as often as possible. I am sure this was even before the COVID thing. There was a thread on this, but I can’t find it.

Yes it’s been going on before Covid but the police have been involved since the stay at home started in January.

I’m expecting there to be a gathering on photographers (6 per group) at Acton Bridge from March 29th! The police can’t do anything then.

Another fine example from our fiends at West Midlands Police.

A probationary police officer who assaulted a woman in a "terrifying" attack has been given a curfew, prompting criticism he was not jailed.
West Midlands Police PC Oliver Banfield grabbed and manhandled Emma Homer last July while drunk. He has been suspended and faces disciplinary action.

PC's curfew sentence for 'terrifying' attack on woman criticised

Oliver Banfield's victim says she thought he was "fulfilling a violent cop movie fantasy".

www.bbc.co.uk

Notice that even though he is probationary he hasn’t been fired....

I suspect he will be but they were waiting the outcome.

There are bad apples in all professions so this doesn’t really point out that the West Mids
Police are things (or similar).

 

[Typhoon]

Pensioner given Covid breach warning over socially-distanced cup of tea | ITV News

A pensioner has been given a Covid breach warning by police after having a socially distanced cup of tea in her communal garden. | ITV News West Country

www.itv.com

If this is true, then it’s just ridiculous. I’d be very annoyed if police knocked on my door at that time of night and to do it to an elderly lady for anything other than an emergency is a disgrace.

Absolutely. If it needed to be done it was a job for one officer, possibly a PCSO, during daylight hours, ideally someone in the George Dixon mold (you might need to look it up). Did anyone think what Mrs Palmer's first response might have been? Clearly not. I just hope one of the officers had CPR training. As to making her provide ID, come on, they knew where she lived, as @duncanp writes in #287, there is probably some supervisor in the property with a list of residents (in case of fire, for instance). She is hardly going to lie. Is there no crime in Gloucestershire at night?

In the forthcoming PCC elections our incumbent (Kent) boasts of the extra officers he has employed (while jacking up the precept by 7.4%), if this is the sort of task they are being employed on, I would rather go without.

 

[duncanp]

Absolutely. If it needed to be done it was a job for one officer, possibly a PCSO, during daylight hours, ideally someone in the George Dixon mold (you might need to look it up). Did anyone think what Mrs Palmer's first response might have been? Clearly not. I just hope one of the officers had CPR training. As to making her provide ID, come on, they knew where she lived, as @duncanp writes in #287, there is probably some supervisor in the property with a list of residents (in case of fire, for instance). She is hardly going to lie. Is there no crime in Gloucestershire at night?

In the forthcoming PCC elections our incumbent (Kent) boasts of the extra officers he has employed (while jacking up the precept by 7.4%), if this is the sort of task they are being employed on, I would rather go without.

Perhaps I should organise a mass tea drinking protest in the communal gardens of my sheltered housing complex, and write to West Midlands police to dare them to come and arrest us all. Or even better, organise a bus to take us all for a protest afternoon tea on Clapham Common over the Easter weekend.

Did it not occur to the knuckleheads in Gloucestershire Police that the evil tea drinking grannies had probably been vaccinated, and therefore the chance of them infecting each other or anyone else was less than the chance of there being a Union Jack in the background on BBC breakfast?