Why Can't You Do This When They Are Actually Doing The Act?

Fifteen activists from a group which claimed to be behind stunts targeting the Ritz and the Crown Jewels have been arrested over alleged plans for a “mass shoplifting campaign” in London, police say. The Metropolitan Police said members of Take Back Power, which describes itself as a “non-violent civil resistance group”, had been preparing a campaign to steal goods from supermarkets and redistribute them.

Now, you might be asking why the show of force here, and not when people are actually engaging in thieving stuff in broad daylight, Reader? Well, this might provide a clue!

According to the force, activists had gathered at the Quaker Meeting House in Westminster on Thursday evening to take part in “non-violent direct action training”. Officers moved in to halt the meeting and arrested 15 people on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft.

Clearly, the police fancy arresting unarmed middle class Quaker types having tea and biscuits at a meeting far more than they do rolling around between the shelves of a corner shop with a young fit, potentially infectious dinghy invader. And I’d say who can blame them but then I remember they are paid to do both!

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said: "There is a clear difference between lawful protest and criminal acts. 

Cool. it's not just that you fancied an easy arrest, then? 

"This evening's operation tackled a group who we have grounds to suspect were planning to steal from shops in a large, targeted and organised way. 

"Theft is a crime and the public expect the police to deal with it - which is exactly what we have done today."

You're right, we do expect you to deal with it, whenever and whever it happens... or we'll wind up like America:

Oh, too late! 

H/T:skscartoon via twitter

There's A Reason The Nuremberg Trials Didn't Waste Time With Littering And Petty Theft...

Cmdr James Harman, the head of the Met’s anti-corruption and abuse command, said: “As soon as we were made aware of these allegations we acted to launch an investigation. I am pleased that following the determined work of officers we have been able to secure these charges.

“We are working relentlessly to rebuild the trust of the public, which has understandably been dented by a number of high-profile incidents and investigations in recent years which have involved officers or former officers.”

Maybe you should work a bit harder on those serving officers committing actual crimes today, rather than on people who swapped off colour jokes on a private chat group after they'd left your employ..?

It is alleged all six were in a WhatsApp group and the messages that led to the criminal charges were sent and received between August 2018 and September 2022, after their service in the Met had ended, the force said.

Utterly pathetic.  

Given Other Cases, She Was Right To Expect This...

A source close to Grey's defence team said she plans to appeal, having expected only a suspended sentence.

Yes, it's the conclusion to this case.

The court heard that until pre-sentencing Grey had expressed 'no remorse' for her actions...

So what? At least that's more honest! 

'Her lawyer had desperately tried to get her out on bail during an appeal process but it was a failed application.'

They've really got it in for this woman, haven't they? I wonder why... 

It comes as the local council was unable to confirm today whether or not bicycles are allowed on the pavement where the incident took place - despite the judge declaring it a 'shared footpath' at court.

Wait, what? So neither the police nor the local council can decide, but 'his honour' can opine from the bench? Surely someone should be looking at this fool's competence to be a judge?

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Sean Enright acknowledged Grey's health issues, but told her they 'do not reduce your understanding of right or wrong'.

Strange, since my blog is littered with cases where the judge has fallen over himself to be lenient and award the benefit of the doubt. And this particular one has no hesitation showing it to drug dealers and burglars. 

Following Grey's conviction, Detective Sergeant Mark Dollard, who interviewed her, said: 'I am pleased with the verdict and hope it is a stark reminder to all road users to take care and be considerate to each other. '

Of course you're pleased. Low hanging fruit is always easiest, isn't it? And what consideration did the cyclist show to pedestrians? 

A Few Things Missing From This Story...

Watson, 37, was taken into custody following the incident and was caught in possession of a lock knife and drugs when he was searched by officers.

He went on to admit charges of possession of a knife blade and or sharp pointed article in a public place and possession of a controlled drug of class B.

But during sentencing this week, Watson was on the receiving end of high praise from Judge Shane Collery.

No, not another barmy judge - for once! The 'incident' referred to was something quite different to what you might think... 

Judge Collery said: “It’s an unusual case and in many ways the public should be thanking him for his actions that day.

“I think you deserve that thanks, you didn’t know the guns were fake and you thought there was a real risk to the public.

“It was a brave thing to do.

“You and another man were going past on bikes and saw this man with the firearms and stopped and challenged. At the time, police saw that there was a tussle as you were trying to get the arms off him.”

And were the police grateful for this help from the public, as they always claim? Reader, this is Essex Police, and they were not... 

The court was told Watson had been summoned to crown court because he had originally been charged with affray. However, the charge was dropped.

Presumably even the CPS realised their chances of getting a conviction were slim once the jury heard the full details, if the idiot plod low-hanging fruit pickers didn't!

Watson was handed an absolute discharge for the knife possession and a £20 fine for carrying the drugs. He was also ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge.

We aren't told what the nutter carrying the two fake firearms in public got. I mean, even Essex Police aren't so useless they didn't charge him, surely? 

Double Standards...

Chelsea Kirtley was changing her 11-week-old son Theo’s nappy in 2017 when she spotted a mark on his stomach. Three inches long and pinkish-brown, Chelsea panicked.

Holly Kobayashi was suspected of harming her eight-day-old baby, Adventure, after he developed a bruise the size of a 5p piece on his left arm in September 2017.

And both women were totally innocent: 

It was only after she sought a second medical opinion that Theo was diagnosed with hypermobility — a genetic condition that can cause skin to break or damage easily, which had caused the mark on Theo’s stomach.

It took four months for Social Services to conclude that the bruise had been caused by accident.

So...how on earth do stories like this one happen? Why do social services turn a blind eye to cases like this, and go in like gangbusters on middle-class Englishwomen?

Was it 'cos they is white?

Are You Kidding Me..?

A woman has been sentenced after a court heard she failed to stop her ex-partner trying to drown a dog, but charges against him were dropped.

Errr, why? 

The court was told Charlene Latham pleaded with her ex-partner Leigh Johnson not to drown Bella, but he refused and she did not get help. The RSPCA said it did not have enough evidence to prosecute Mr Johnson.

But it did have enough to prosecute her? Well, no, she admitted it, and they clearly didn't fancy spending any of the donations that little old ladies send them in to prosecute monsters like these when they could spend them on a swanky headquarters instead.

Like the CPS and the police farces, they simply go for low-hanging fruit...  

Luc Chignell, defending Latham, said: "The person who committed this is not here and that is not her fault."

Latham has since suffered "relentless abuse" on social media, which led to police advising her to leave her home, the court heard.

Those are consequences, and they are a little harsh, it's true, but why aren't we told that the same is true of the perpetrator? 

Latham was given a 12-month community order and told to pay an £80 fine, £32 victim surcharge, and £200 in costs. She was also banned from keeping dogs for three years.

Because after three years she'll be fine and dandy? 

Meanwhile, Over In GulagUK...

Yes, I expect all those shopkeepers who waited in vain for police to turn up to burglaries and shoplifting cases will have a wry chuckle at them suddenly finding a work ethic in their top drawer...

Scotland Yard revealed officers will be told to stop civilians in the street and quiz them on why they are not shut away in their homes.

Hmmm, that's a very good question... 

It comes on a day where police arrested 28 protesters for flouting restrictions, fined four friends £800 for travelling in the same car to McDonald's and policemen pulled over motorists to check where they were going.

Ah. The answer's 'Yes'.  

Meanwhile Boris Johnson extended his third national lockdown until March 31 as his new Covid law was published and he ducked Tory demands to guarantee 'malicious' rules are eased after his first review on February 15.

When do we decide we've had enough, and start storming seats of political power, I wonder? 

The Only Time They Show Any Work Ethic...

...when the low hanging fruit is ripe for picking: 

North Yorkshire police said Covid marshals and officers visiting hospitality venues in York encountered “large numbers” of visitors from tier 3 areas and had processed 55 tickets to people in breach of their own tier regulations.

They said more than 100 further tickets were still awaiting paperwork completion and processing.

Do these people think it's a free country, or something? 

Well, the North Yorkshire Police Farce is here to disabuse them of that notion! After all, going door to door in struggling restaurants and pubs is much easier than catching burglars of child abusers, isn't it? 

It's even easier than trawling Facebook for thoughtcrime!

Supt Mike Walker of North Yorkshire police said: “People very clearly know and understand the risks, they know that this virus is deadly (Ed: Really?), they will know about the identification of a new strain (Ed: The one that's been around for months?) and know the serious steps the government has taken in the south-east, so there really is no excuse for acting so irresponsibly (Ed: Wrong idenity group, eh? ).

“If you choose to visit the city of York from tier 3 areas without a justifiable reason to have made your journey – with our extra patrols, chances are you will encounter one of our officers and you’ll be asked about the reason for your visit.”

He should read some history books, and look at what happened to the last bunch who delighted in snapping 'Papiere, bitte!'... 

You Need To Get A Grip, Priti...

Police are investigating...

Burgary? Assault? Dangerous driving?

...comments posted on social media about asylum seekers staying in temporary accommodation at a York hotel.

Hmmm. OK, but maybe they are concerned that they are committing crime and the local population needs protection?

North Yorkshire Police tweeted that ‘hate crime’ would not be tolerated and it was concerned about some social media posts relating to asylum seekers housed in the York area.

“We are looking into the issue and stand committed to stopping hate speech,” it added.

 Ah. Guess not. What does Priti's office have to say? Will they rein in these maverick so-called police officers?

The Home Office said it took the wellbeing of asylum seekers and the local communities in which they lived extremely seriously.

“On the rare occasions that there are problems (Ed: really..?) in a local area, we will always work closely with the relevant authorities to address the issue,” said a spokesman.

“Hate crime has absolutely no place in our society and we have a zero tolerance approach towards attempts to undermine our tolerance and respect for each other.”

What if that 'tolerance and respect' is eroding faster and faster due to the increased perception that the government has no plan, no clue, and no intention whatsoever of halting the influx, though?

That they are slowly draining the coffers even more perniciously than Covid?

But maybe there's no real cause for concern here?

Oh.

Their comments came as it emerged that two asylum seekers have been arrested on suspicion of affray at the hotel where they are staying.

And when the council claims this as a victory, we see how hollow the State's attempt to claim all is normal really is:

A York council official has revealed that the organisation responsible for the asylum seekers’ accommodation was making arrangements to relocate four to alternative locations outside York, staffing levels had been increased at the hotel and police had increased visits to Clifton Moor.

More police, more staff, moving them around the country - this is what you do with dangerous troublemakers in prison. Not 'people looking for a better life'. Isn't it?

H/T: Mike Graham via Twitter

"We've Tried Nothing And We're All Out Of Ideas!" Pt 2879254

Groups of up to 80 teenagers have been drinking, smoking and playing football on Hove Lawns this week, angering residents who have branded them “stupid little idiots”.

Labour councillor for the area Chris Henry said police and the city council are “powerless” to tackle the groups, who have been meeting amid coronavirus restrictions.

Why are they 'powerless'? Even Essex Police have managed to get off their lazy backsides and halt gatherings.

And the Met show a hell of a lot of power when they are demanding people stop singing in public, after all.

What makes Hove police so meek?

On Thursday, he said: “Today I had a conference call with the chief executive of the council and executive officers. I asked specifically about Hove Lawns and the startling and sudden increase in young people congregating together. Unfortunately the police and council are powerless to stop this.

“The council had considered marshals patrolling the area but felt they would be ignored and would merely inflame the situation. I asked that high visibility signs be erected to at least warn and remind the groups why social distancing is important.”

So....basically, they aren't prepared to do the job they are paid for?

If my windowcleaner turns up on Tuesday and announces he'll only do the ground floor windows, but expects to be paid the same, he'll get short shrift. In what way is this different?

The representative for Westbourne Ward has appealed to residents to help with ideas to tackle the issue.

I'm not a resident, but I've got a few. Think he'd like to hear them?

Speaking about the youths, he said: “I sympathise with them, they’ve been cooped up for 12 weeks with no school.

“The sun has come out and they have been told they’re low risk. We should not demonise the children, it’s understandable.

“I’m asking the community how do we allow them to get fresh air and exercise?”

How about a few months on a chain gang?

Well, Yes. That's The Issue, Isn't It?

Chief Inspector Dee Wells said: “We are aware of people’s concerns in this area, and we continue to work with the community and our partners, including Brighton and Hove City Council and charities, to tackle the issue of drug dealing and use.

“While circumstances may have changed in recent weeks due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, our policing approach hasn’t.”

Sadly, I believe you...

One resident said: “We are getting constant groups of intoxicated people meeting up, drinking, taking and dealing drugs on the street.

“In the last few weeks of lockdown we have seen no police officers or community support officers in the area, I’m assuming because they are busy on the beach and other areas where people are taking their daily exercise.”

Another resident said: “New Steine Gardens is a hotspot for drug dealing, drug taking and antisocial behaviour and it seems to be a prime meeting place for these activities.

“Usually we would not go in there in the summer to sit in the sun because there have been needles, bodily fluids, and human excrement on the green as well as threatening behaviour from these people if you refuse to give them money.

“They are ignoring social distancing rules.

“Officers who arrived on patrol just moved them on, there were no threats of fines, no searches or arrests. “It is an absolute joke that these people are allowed to do whatever they like.”

Meanwhile a supermarket customer in Western Road, Brighton, said: “There are huge problems with junkies. “Shop managers have said the police have not bothered to do anything about it.

“There was a group outside Sainsbury’s blocking people and hassling them in the queue, including hassling an old lady with a walking stick.

“Customers are being harassed and are frightened, meanwhile outside Waitrose they have been going up and down the queue begging people for drugs money.

“It would be really good to be able to go shopping safely without that kind of stuff going on.”

Yup, certainly looks like your approach (ignore persistent offending and target people who won't fight back instead) hasn't changed one bit, doesn't it?

"I asked under what law did I have to close and they didn't know."

'When I got to the station they didn't know what to charge me with. On the board where they write things like "mugging" or "burglary", for me, they wrote something like 'shopkeeper'.

I was in a cell for a couple of hours before they let me leave. To be fair the officers in the station were great, it was just the ones who came to the shop.'

It would almost be funny, if it wasn't for the growing realisation that the police are not only ignorant of the law, but also that there's widespread confusion amongst those who are supposed to guide them in the interpretation of it!

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, whose members work for councils, and are responsible for enforcing the new rules, said: 'There does seem to some confusion over what should be closed and what shouldn't. Vaping shops are self-identifying as health care and staying open.'

If there's 'confusion', what are you doing about it?

'Our people are getting in touch with businesses to ask them what grounds they are open because there seems to be a feeling the legislation is open to misinterpretation.'

All legislation is - it needs to be tested in a court of law. You know, the ones that are scaling back right now...

'We're finding quite a few businesses open when they should be closed, and closing when we catch them and saying they will stay closed and then re-opening the next day.'

They've realised the police can't be everywhere. And are, frankly, making no attempt to be where they are most needed in favour of low-hanging fruit, like they always do...

The UK vaping industry has urged the Government to exempt its outlets, claiming it would be a counterproductive move that could place a further strain on the NHS.

Since vital services like chemotherapy appointments are being postponed in these times, they have a very good point. Do they want to be overwhelmed by people with issues caused by the closure of shops they rely on?

Even The Keystone Kops Look Askance At Essex Police Farce..

The first letter warning the pensioner of her court case had been sent to the same street name in the wrong town, making her unaware she had been charged.

By the time it finally arrived at her home in Wivenhoe, Essex, the original court date had passed.

Mrs Harvey was then told to hand herself in at Colchester police station, but due to more blunders officers were still sent to arrest her at her home on Monday night.

And what was this 78 year old miscreant's crime?

Beryl Harvey's beloved Labrador-Collie cross Marley bit fellow dog walker Fiona O'Brien-Smith on a playing field near her home. The incident left her with a light scratch and bruising and police went on to interview Mrs Harvey, 78, after the incident, which occurred almost seven months ago.

Despite hearing nothing after her interview, the grandmother-of-five was stunned last week when she received a letter telling her she had missed a court hearing.

And despite the fact they never seem to be in much of a hurry to get into a ruck with knife-wielding traveller youths, the prospect of arresting a 78 year old woman must have stiffened the sinews of the brave boys of the Essex farce:

The pensioner, who has no previous convictions, was then forced to spend a terrifying night in police cells ahead of her hearing before magistrates in Colchester.

She was taken from the police station to the court and when she finally appeared before magistrates 21 hours after her arrest she admitted a charge of being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control.

/golfclap

Well done, lads!

Church volunteer Mrs Harvey did not hit out at the police for their actions, kindly saying she had just been very unfortunate.

'The police will just say they are doing their job. It was just error after error with ghastly jail cell food in-between.'

You're too kind.

Magistrates handed her a 12-month conditional discharge, meaning there will be no further punishment against her if she does not re-offend.

And the farce?

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: 'The letters were sent to the address we had on our records. If Miss Harvey is unhappy with how the matter has been dealt with, she can contact us and we will look into her concerns.'

What do you mean, 'if'?

Technically, He's No Longer Driving, Surely?

A driver who ran out of fuel on the A30 near Exeter today has been reported by police for driving without due care and attention.

You think they might have a bit of sympathy, no? But wait, is it even an offence?

It is not in itself an offence to run out of fuel on a motorway. However, unless there's a mechanical fault with your car, there's no excuse for running out of fuel.

Not letting it get super low is just part of the basic responsibilities of running a car. By running out of fuel, you risk creating a dangerous situation and obstructing the roadway.

 And you're at risk of one of our police arresting you for that. Because they've nothing better to do.

Maybe one of them should hang around an ambulance station or police station waiting to pounce, if this is such an issue...

H/T: IR Jackson via email

The Fruit Doesn't Hang Much Lower Than This...

A dog owner has been hauled into court today after his 'dangerously out of control' pet chihuahua called Louie bit a postie on the ankle and left her needing hospital treatment, a court has heard.

She went to hospital...?!?

The trial of a man accused of owning a “dangerously out of control” dog after his chihuahua allegedly bit the ankle of a postwoman ended in deadlock after a jury failed to reach a verdict.

Too busy laughing, I expect.

A hearing on February 7 will be held to decide if the prosecution will seek a retrial.

What a waste of time and money...

H/T: alfred stone via email

Low Hanging Fruit...

Dog groomer Hailey Roebuck was walking three dogs through a cemetery in Almondbury, West Yorkshire, when she decided to let ageing mutt Emley off her leash for a few seconds.

But after just 30 seconds Hailey said she was warned by a member of the public to put her back on a lead.

Moments later, enforcement officers from private firm Kingdom - contracted by Kirklees Council - emerged from an everyday family car with no official markings. They told her that even though the dog was now on the lead they had witnessed it off the lead, and slapped Hailey with a £75 fine.

Quite right, rules are rules.

But I can't help but wonder if they'd have been so quick to pounce if instead of a lone female with an aging, docile crossbreed, the culprit had been a strapping young man with the usual chav breed at heel....

"It's like we were seen as easy prey."

An 80-year-old woman has been jailed for 12 months after her son's dog attacked a five-year-old girl, leaving her with facial injuries.

Pitbull? American bulldog?

Theresa Graves, of March, Cambridgeshire, held the animal up for Skyla Boldan to kiss it in June this year, according to the girl's family. But it bit her, causing deep cuts to her lip.

The dog, a Jack Russell called Deefa, had to be destroyed.

*boggle*

Det Con Mark Yendley, of Cambridgeshire Police, said: "This case shows how important it is to keep dogs under control in public places and how seriously the courts treat incidents of this nature."

Oh, the courts and police are very, very keen to get on top of this new 'dangerous dog' menace striking fear into the land:

Linda and Keith have been told that if Tilly is spotted out in public without a muzzle on, she is at risk of being put down under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Meanwhile, chavs walk four-legged engines of destruction unmolested by the filth...

H/T: CJ Nerd via email

Low-Hanging Fruit...

A mum has pledged to take police to court after officers took away her seven-year-old autistic daughter's dog believing it be a banned breed.

Jenny Armer claims Lancashire Police have mistakenly taken little Maddison Armer's pet Darla because she measures up to a pitbull-type dog

The 29-year-old mum, from Lancaster, maintains Darla is a docile cross between a Shar-Pei and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

How did this come to their attention?

Local dog wardens reported the three-year-old family pet and police arrived at Maddison's mum Jenny Armer's home with a warrant to take her away.

Ah. This was really the only pitbull-alike in Leicestershire? You're sure?

Jenny, 29, is adamant Darla is not a banned breed and that she plays a vital role in looking after Maddison, who suffers from autism and ADHD.

Hmmm...

...on Thursday, Maddison Armer was finally reunited with her best friend. And a family was made whole again.

Well, all's well that ends well.

And any comment from the 'authorities' on why they are targeting a single mother with an obvious non-pitbull rather than any of the hundreds of urban yoof with 'Staffies' slavering at the ends of chain leashes?

...the Lancashire Constabulary did not return requests for comment...

Didn't think so. But then, they have form for coming down like a ton of bricks on soft targets while ignoring politically-sensitive issues, don't they?