Saturday 28 November 2009

And We Do Not Live In A Police State?

From The Register we find that if you are too tall and are a photographer, you can be arrested! No, really!! Do read the story first - and the links within, before what follows.

"He was then handcuffed, held in a police van for 20 minutes, searched in public by plain clothes officers before being released. It remains unclear, both from from his own account and from subsequent police explanations, exactly why he was arrested – although he did note at the time that the WPC stated she had felt threatened by his size - 5' 11" and about 12 stone - and implied that she found it intimidating."

Now according to this the average weight of a woman is 10st 7lbs and height 5ft 9ins - based on figures issued by the  Dept of Trade & Industry. (Trade & Industry??) We all know that size matters so it must be true that 2 inches really does make a difference!

Even more of concern is this: "photographer Alex Turner was stopped whilst taking snaps in Chatham High St and approached by two men, who refused to identify themselves, but demanded that he show them some ID." (my emphasis).

Someone going about their lawful business, not causing any trouble, not committing any crime can be stopped by someone who does not have to show identity when doing so? WTF!!!

This story demonstrates that, on the whim of a police officer, you can be arrested?

It was the impression of the majority of this country, one would believe, that we live in a free democracy so can we please get back into our system of law - and law enforcement - some level of freedom? 

H/T: Old Holborn

1 comment:

JuliaM said...

"This story demonstrates that, on the whim of a police officer, you can be arrested? "

Thay've got to fill that DNA database somehow...