A shop has apologised for a "misunderstanding" of the law which led to staff refusing to serve a uniformed soldier with cigarettes.
Management at Alpha News in the Hardshaw Centre, St Helens posted notices at its store after a complaint by the soldier on Facebook spread like wildfire.
The social media message led to a group of protestors gathering in the shopping centre this morning trying to persuade shoppers not to buy anything from the store.
Police were stationed outside the shop in an attempt to defuse the row and quell any potential disorder.
It seems people aren't prepared to put up with this sort of thing any more.
The shop's Indian owner later apologised, insisting that staff had believed cigarettes could not be sold to soldiers wearing military uniform.
A likely story!
Police, meanwhile, warned they are investigating whether any of follow up comments made on social media about the shop constitute a criminal offence under the Malicious Communications and Public Order Acts.
Wait, what? Has the shop owner complained?
"Although police have not received a report of complaint from the shop, a full investigation into the wider comments being made is underway by the SIGMA team in St Helens.
"Police are looking into whether any of these comments constitute a criminal offence under the Malicious Communications and Public Order Acts.
Gosh, amazing how you suddenly have time to spare, eh?
"Merseyside Police will continue to use all the available technology and expertise at its disposal to identify people who commit offences on-line and take action under the current laws.
"People should stop and think on social media before making statements as the consequences could be serious.
"High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area to reassure local businesses and shoppers. "
As
James Higham pointed out at 'Orphans',
"Police received no complaints but they’re going to nail someone British if it’s the last thing they do."...
Why don't they just be done with it, and make being a white native Brit a 'hate crime' in itself.
ReplyDeleteIt would save a lot of this posturing & twattery...
Absolutely shocking.
ReplyDeleteMr Ahmed should look to the example set by his Asian compatriots in Yorkshire who, sometimes without prejudice to sexual favours, bend over backwards supplying white, pre teens.
I went to their 192 review page and left a comment there seemed to be a fair few complaining about this shopkeepers behaviour so it was not just me.
ReplyDeleteThis is my favourite tweet from Merseyside Police:
ReplyDeleteMerseyside Police @MerseyPolice · Oct 23
Avoid leaving wheelie bins visible in front of your home. For reasons why read this @MerseyFire story http://bit.ly/12iWBlh
But if you leave invisible bins outside your home the bin men cannot see them to collect them, and it poses a trip hazard.
What a shocking waste of manpower. I'm sure Merseyside Police have better things to do than guarding a shop and surfing the Internet. Like protecting young white girls from the shopkeeper's co-religionists.
ReplyDeleteThen again, maybe not.
"Police received no complaints but they’re going to nail someone British if it’s the last thing they do."...
ReplyDeletePlug in the catheters and intravenous drips of liquefied doughnut, pop those chubby keyboard knuckles and turn up the radiator thermostats to max.
An experience citizens may wish to forego, it is enough to imagine the smell of plod's preparations for the forthcoming bonanza.
VV Woman on a Raft said...
ReplyDeleteThis is my favourite tweet from Merseyside Police:
Merseyside Police @MerseyPolice · Oct 23
Avoid leaving wheelie bins visible in front of your home. For reasons why read this @MerseyFire story http://bit.ly/12iWBlh VV
At which point, the local council will a)refuse to empty your bin, and/or b) will fine you for not putting out your aloted amount of rubbish per month (As per the "five year plan.) On the grounds that "They are obviously fly tipping it somewehere!"
Hmmm. But we do have freedom of contract, yes? Which means the shopkeeper is fully entitled to be an idiot tell the prospective customer to get lost. And take the consequences of having done so.
ReplyDeleteBloke in Germany.
ReplyDeleteA pub, or off licence does not have to give a reason. Whether shops do, I suspect not. (A person who has never heard of soap and water, for example, can be thrown out of a library, or off public transport.(BEFORE he has paid and recieved a ticket!))
BUT If it goes to court, then.... the situation is diferent.
"Only coons were refused!" Then you may have problems.
WHICH is the "Superior legistlation?" Licencing act, or "Race relations acts?"
My question is, and it has never been answered, "Can I refuse to BE served in a shop (say Woolys) from a woman wearing a bin bag?"
My suspicion is, that they would then say "WE refuse to serve YOU."
Again, which is "Superior legistlation?" "Fredom of contract" or the "Criminal law?"
They have only "an offer to treat" (EXACT wording has escaped me) Which is NOT binding. It is only AFTER a price is agreed and valuable consideration has changed hands,(Money", in the case of Sheffield/Rotherham/etc, "Your 12 year old") that it becomes a contract.
Before that, allowing for the RRA, everyting is allowed.
YOU are DOING this to me after a night shift and a half day in college!!
Ypou BASTARD! :-D :-D :-D
"I went to their 192 review page and left a comment there seemed to be a fair few complaining about this shopkeepers behaviour so it was not just me."
ReplyDeleteYes, I think he'll regret this for a long time..
"But if you leave invisible bins outside your home the bin men cannot see them to collect them, and it poses a trip hazard."
LOL! I wonder if this is a sought-after job in the Farce..?
"Hmmm. But we do have freedom of contract, yes? Which means the shopkeeper is fully entitled to be an idiot tell the prospective customer to get lost. And take the consequences of having done so."
Indeed so, but it seems they want to avoid that latter part, and the State is keen to assist them in this...