A householder who took photographs of hooded teenagers as evidence of their anti-social behaviour says he was told he was breaking the law after they called the police.The story is a little misleading, as a police officer didn’t actually turn up. Oh, no, that would be too unbelievable!
It was our old friend, the PCSO, once again:
David Green, 64, and his neighbours had been plagued by the youths from a nearby comprehensive school for months, and was advised by their headmaster to identify them so action could be taken.But of course! Even though no such law exists, as the posting a few days ago on ‘Harry’s Place’ confirmed. And that was the brilliant legal brains of the PCSO team again too.
But when Mr Green left his £1million London flat to take photographs of the gang, who were aged around 17, he said one threatened to kill him while another called the police on his mobile.
And he claimed that a Police Community Support Officer sent to the scene promptly issued a warning that taking pictures of youths without permission was illegal, and could lead to a charge of assault.
Last night Mr Green, a television cameraman, said he was appalled that the legal system's first priority seemed not to be stopping frightening anti-social behaviour by aggressive youths, but protecting them from being photographed by the concerned public.But not surprised, surely, Mr Green? After all, why deal with a spitting, swearing out of control youth who might resist your words of advice when you can threaten a well-behaved member of the public, who’ll meekly complain to the media instead. Job done!
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the force had no record of the incident.No, I just bet they haven’t….
So what do PCSOs carry in those natty little pouches on their belts if it isn't a notebook to record such incidents?
ReplyDeleteHave you seen that YouTube video of that idiot PCSO in Oxford Circus telling a gentleman quite aggressively that he is not allowed to film a street scene?
I should think being a PCSO is quite a hard job.
ReplyDeleteOn whom do we rely, besides ourselves, to make laws, regulate our society and run the shop, unless we ask politicians and social champions to do this? The monarchy maybe, an oligarch or two, or maybe someone in a uniform.
I'm simply trying to ask, who do you want to manage the lemonade stall?
It would seem you are not a fan of Labour. new or otherwise, you're no fan of DC or JR. I know you're not a "Cleggie" from the tone of your writing.
So, please. What's the way forward and who drives the bus?
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"Have you seen that YouTube video of that idiot PCSO in Oxford Circus telling a gentleman quite aggressively that he is not allowed to film a street scene?"
ReplyDeleteIs it the same one as in the link to the 'Harry's Place' article? Or another one?
"I should think being a PCSO is quite a hard job. "
Oh, absolutely! I mean, here you have a man complaining of anti-social behaviour and abusive threats to kill, and a youth whining that he's been photographed in the act of anti-social behaviour and making abusive threats; who is in the right here?
It's a puzzle, unless you are a complete Total Twat...
Oh. Right.
Hang on, didn't I read something last week about how people would have the right to use lethal force against violent criminals, for reals this time?
ReplyDeleteAnd then you read something like this and wonder, 'have things really changed? Should I take a chance on trusting the bastards...?'
I should think being a PCSO is quite a hard job.
ReplyDeleteMaybe so - maybe not. However, they should be aware of the law. They should not be making it up on the hoof.
So, please. What's the way forward and who drives the bus?
Irrelevant to the discussion. The issue here is someone not doing the job for which they are paid.
All too typical of the way the law is being perverted these days. Of course, PCSOs have b****r all power and so they can only pick on easy targets and make up the law as they go along.
ReplyDeleteBeing a PCSO is probably a very hard job and in my opinion it is a valuable role. But they should have the vaguest understanding of the law of the land and be able to tell the difference between people behaving anti-socially who need dealing with and people taking photos in public who do not.
ReplyDeleteThere appears to br a pattern here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thugreport.com/
Alas, according to Jacqui Smith, the police can do what they wish:
ReplyDeletehttp://listeningblogger.blogspot.com/2008/07/home-secretary-says-police-can-make-up.html