Wednesday 12 August 2009

Getting Too Big For Their (Jack) Boots...

Is it 'Police Gone Wild!' month?

First, they decide they'd rather not obey the courts and hand back the DNA our lords and masters in Europe (whose laws they usually so slavishly obey) have said they can't hang on to.

Now, they seem intent on continuing to try to close down a legitimate, trouble-free gathering:
Warwickshire Police have pledged to continue trying to stop an annual event organised by the Hells Angels, despite it passing off peacefully.

Organisers said more than 23,000 people attended the Bulldog Bash, which the force tried to stop - citing possible violence between rival biker gangs.
And when there wasn't any? All down to the police, natch!
Chief Constable Keith Bristow said the police operation had succeeded in protecting those who attended.
I'm reminded of the man tearing up his newspaper and throwing strips of it out of a train window. A fellow commuter asks him why he's doing it, and he relies it's to keep away rogue elephants. 'But we don't have rogue elephants in the UK!' he says, baffled. 'See what a good job I'm doing?' the man replies....
...Mr Bristow said the force would continue to explore all legal opportunities, both criminal and civil, to stop the annual event.

He said: "While the policing operation did result in a number of arrests, I am relieved that no one was killed or seriously injured this year as a direct result of having attended this event."
Which concern seems to stem from the shooting death on a motorway (not at the bash itself) of an attendee in 2007, and a Hell's Angel riot at Birmingham Airport (also conspicuously not at the Bash)...
Mr Bristow was highly critical of the Hells Angels and said the group should "open its books" and show where money raised at the event ended up.

He said: "If its funds are used purely for the lawful benefit of its members and for charity and social good, why don't the Hells Angels open their accounts to scrutiny and reassure us of their intentions?"
What business is that of yours, Bristow? If you have evidence of a crime with regards to the funds, do your job. If not, keep your trap shut.

Particularly when by opening it, you can be made to look foolish and obsessed:
But a Bulldog Bash spokesman said the accounts were all above board and in the public domain.

"It's ridiculous. The accounts have always been available for inspection because they are lodged with Companies House," he said.

He added organisers ran a "well-regulated show" for the public which this year had raised £10,000 for Help for Heroes, the event's nominated charity which supports soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Well, there's your problem...

Perhaps you should be donating to the Police Benevolent Fund instead, you may not get hassled then.

It's said we get the policing we deserve. I don't think anyone's done anything to deserve Bristow, have they?

11 comments:

Pavlov's Cat said...

Perhaps you should be donating to the Police Benevolent Fund instead, you may not get hassled then.

Or Hamas and myriad other terrorist supporting groups.

Anonymous said...

There's something sinister about ACPO officers and wannabee ACPOs. Their mindset is so completely alien and opposite to Federated Ranks (Chief Insp and below) and the rest of society (well the silent but increasingly agitated majority. They are clearly politicised control freaks, mere puppets operated by their control freak political leaders.
I think the Army, Navy and Air Force will be our saviours, ACPO leaders would willingly walk us into tyranny.

Dr Melvin T Gray said...

True enough, Julia. However the 'Police Benevolent Fund' gobbled up so much it became impossible to exist as anything other than a black hole.

In consequence, any amount may now be poured into it without observable effect.

Mummylonglegs said...

With you on this one, I have attended the BDB quite a few times over the years and I have to say, having attended many Biker's Meets it is one of (if not) the best. It is well run, fun and raises a shit load of money for many charities.

Mummy x

Anonymous said...

Having said all that, the Hells Angels are an international criminal gang.
From reading your other posts, I'd have thought you'd want the police concentrating on hassling people like that?

Umbongo said...

Shouldn't we be more concerned about what goes on at Glastonbury? Hundreds of thousands of the simple-minded with more money than sense gather in the open air to listen to (IMHO) over-amplified trash while being egged on by a sinister organisation steeped in corruption and more corruption devoted to the destruction of this country.

Longrider said...

Can't say I would want to attend a HA do myself - being an ordinary biker rather than a patch wearer. My distaste for the Angels aside, unless there is clear evidence of criminal activity, then it's none of ACPO's business where the money goes. There is no obligation for them to "open their books" to the interfering busybody and nor should they. If Bristow has evidence of criminal activity, he can always get a court order, can't he?

Rob said...

Ironic for a member of ACPO to insist on another group opening their books.

ACPO refuse FOI requests because they are a private company.

JuliaM said...

"There's something sinister about ACPO officers and wannabee ACPOs. Their mindset is so completely alien..."

Maybe there's a pod somewhere of the real Bristow..? ;)

Nothing would surprise me!

"...any amount may now be poured into it without observable effect."

Like any other government account then?

"...I have to say, having attended many Biker's Meets it is one of (if not) the best. It is well run, fun and raises a shit load of money for many charities."

So they say, and since their accounts are in the public domain, if Bristow could have proved otherwise, he surely would. But since he can't he resorts to smears instead. Helped by the MSM.

JuliaM said...

"Having said all that, the Hells Angels are an international criminal gang.
From reading your other posts, I'd have thought you'd want the police concentrating on hassling people like that?"


No, I don't want the police to 'hassle' groups I don't like. I want them to enforce the law. There's a difference.

"Shouldn't we be more concerned about what goes on at Glastonbury?"

There's probably far more low-level lawbreaking! :)

"My distaste for the Angels aside, unless there is clear evidence of criminal activity, then it's none of ACPO's business where the money goes."

Indeed. Bristow needs to be put back in his box.

"Ironic for a member of ACPO to insist on another group opening their books."

Very!

j said...

I Suppose he'll try banning soccer matches next; afterall, can't have rival supporters scrapping, can we?