Meanwhile in Derbyshire, police turned away drivers from the National Trust's Calke Abbey at a vehicle checkpoint this afternoon.
One woman asked to use the toilets as she was a national trust member, however police turned her away and claimed she had travelled 'too far' despite the stately home near the border with Leicestershire being on her own way home from work.A sentence that, frankly, makes me ashamed of what this country has become under the tyranny of Boris Johnson's government.
It can't, after all, make me any more ashamed at the police, who have shrugged off the lethargy they displayed on other matters, yet have been out entusiastically carrying out these tasks with evident relish:
In London, one man who was stopped outside Hammersmith Tube station was asked to provide his name and address, which was written down and checked by officers, and the reason for his journey. The man was allowed to enter the station and continue travelling but refused to comment on whether he had been fined.
One officer told MailOnline: 'We're all over the area to enforce Covid laws and make sure that people are out for the right reasons. If you're not local or don't have a valid reason to be out, then you will be fined.'
But the police officer revealed that they had not issued a single fine as most people have been adhering to the rules. saying: 'I think the message is getting through that you should only be out for essential reasons'.
That you should feel safe uttering those words to a journalist - worse, that you should feel entitled to do so - shows just how much damage has been done to the concept of 'policing by consent'.
In Birmingham, an exchange between two officers and a couple with a pushchair walking through the city centre only ended when the man produced cash from his pocket and told officers they were going to pay in money at a bank.
The pedestrian, who did not want to be named, said: 'I don't know why they picked on us. They just asked why we were in the city centre and when I explained about the bank they left it at that. I think it's just a matter of control really.'
Indeed it is. And it's not the role of the police to do this. But they seem to be enjoying it far more than they should, don't they?
Is it 'cos I isn't black?
ReplyDeleteIs it Boris Johhson's government, or Plod keeping up their statistics on soft targets? I rather suspect the latter.
ReplyDeleteI thought the National Trust were keeping their grounds open? If so, why are the Police stopping people accessing them? Perhaps the grounds are only open to black people who can show that they are descendants of slaves (who refuse to return to their racial homeland, because reasons)?
ReplyDeletePenseivat
I've begun to call them 'the VoPos.'
ReplyDeleteIndeed. There are arguments for Singapore-style total law enforcement and there are arguments for Dutch-style laissez faire cops but there are no arguments for a system where some citizens get the lash and others get a free schmoke!
ReplyDeleteMaybe each should have said they were gyppos on a scrap hunt and if they weren't let go they'd call out the rest of their tribe . . . .
ReplyDelete"We're all over the area to enforce Covid laws"
ReplyDeleteBut the ones banning eating IN a restaurant don't apply to them...
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1347466520868364288/pu/vid/320x678/LWSutKlzEbwDvPM6.mp4?tag=10
No question about it, this is a great way to keep up your crime numbers, rake in the cash and do it easily and safely. Always go for the easy target is the motto of today's police. Real criminals can be so nasty and many can afford decent a lawyer, it's all too much trouble, go after the little ones every time.
ReplyDelete"Is it 'cos I isn't black?"
ReplyDelete😉
"I rather suspect the latter."
I suspect an unholy allience.
"I thought the National Trust were keeping their grounds open? If so, why are the Police stopping people accessing them?"
Because they can? They are clearly on a power trip.
"There are arguments for Singapore-style total law enforcement and there are arguments for Dutch-style laissez faire cops but there are no arguments for a system where some citizens get the lash and others get a free schmoke!"
Policing by consent has been teetering for some time, but it appears 2021 is the year it finally topples.
"But the ones banning eating IN a restaurant don't apply to them..."
I saw that yesterday. The way they won't even look at the man filming, never mind answer him, shows their true character.
Every single one should be drummed out of the farce as an example to the others.
@ Julia - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9129555/A-English-lockdown-Met-Police-probe-officers-spotted-flouting-Covid-curbs-INSIDE-London-caf.html
ReplyDelete"The Met Police said: 'We are aware of the images. A local investigation is underway to identify the officers and establish the full circumstances"
That shouldn't be difficult, since Brian Jennings made sure to film (and repeat) their collar numbers!