Detectives will start sending messages to cyber bullies using the social networking site, warning them they are breaking the law and could face prosecution.
Their parents will also be sent a letter alerting them to the fact that their child is an online bully and what the consequences of their actions could be.Just perfect, I think you’ll agree?
And rather surprising, since a constant theme on most police blogs is what a complete waste of time policing internet spats between member of the underclass is…
Still, don’t fret at the thought of a bunch of confused cops struggling to work the new technology. They’ll have help:
The trial in the Thames Valley, which will be the first of its kind, will see police joining forces with teenage volunteers to help press the delete button on school-aged Facebook bullies harassing fellow students.Teenage volunteers, eh? I wonder what they are going to call them?
And the genius behind this scheme? Step forward PC Thomas:
Police constable Dave Thomas came up with the scheme, which will be trialled from Monday.
"By sending a police warning notice on Facebook, students will be made aware they could be prosecuted," he said.Note that ‘could’…
Once a cyber bullying issue on Facebook is flagged by a school or parent to an officer, Pc Thomas and his team will investigate what has been written.
If it is deemed inappropriate, they will send the bully a message warning them if they continue they could be breaking the law.Again, note that ‘could’…
And note that ‘team’ too! Just how many cops are planning to swap the hard graft for a bit of light surfing?
The initiative will start in Reading, Berks., and if enough people "like" the idea, it could be rolled out across the South East from May.And if enough people don’t?
So let me get this right, its OK to make up a rape story and involve the police but send an Email telling your ex what a vacuous infantile thieving bitch she is and, goto jail, do not pass go, do not collect £200
ReplyDeleteHow long before the kids clone the police message and start sending it to everyone(incl the police!)? :)
ReplyDeleteNot surprised it's starting in my town. I am sure it will be a resounding success and will be expanded to protect grown ups also.
ReplyDeleteFFS make it stop.
We now know whose job to cut as part of the "Every Little Helps" campaign.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean we'll only be able to find the police in internet cafes now? I suppose it keeps them off the streets.
ReplyDelete"The initiative will start in Reading, Berks., and if enough people "like" the idea, it could be rolled out across the South East from May. And if enough people don’t" ?
ReplyDeletePC Thomas will once again find himself performing Early Shift, Late Shift & Night Shift ...
I know that these days nobody bothers with inefficiencies like worrying about legal niceties, but do the police have the actual authority to empower teenagers and other arbitrary members of the public to send out legal notices?
ReplyDeleteBreaking into someone's account has become a lot more fun all of a sudden -- I guess it will mot take long and bullies will be asking for more than the lunch money in future...
ReplyDelete"...goto jail, do not pass go, do not collect £200"
ReplyDeleteSeems to be about the size of it.
"How long before the kids clone the police message and start sending it to everyone(incl the police!)? "
24 millisecs, if the speed of the average Twitter meme is any example :)
"We now know whose job to cut as part of the "Every Little Helps" campaign."
And this is why the shine is wearing off iDave's coalition.
What's changed? It seems the answer is 'nothing'...
"I know that these days nobody bothers with inefficiencies like worrying about legal niceties, but do the police have the actual authority to empower teenagers and other arbitrary members of the public to send out legal notices?"
Clearly, they MUST have run all this past a legal expert first. Surely?