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Today a friend of mine told me about a recent run in with the police that, to say the least, worried me.

Basically she was a silly girl who punched a love rival outside of a nightclub about a month ago. Since then the situation with the rival has calmed down and there is no longer any animosity between them.

Anyway about 2 weeks ago she gets a knock on the door from the police who ask her to come to the station where she was issued with a caution.

It transpired that the other girl had gone to police about a totally unrelated matter a few days after the incident. The police had noticed the split lip and chipped tooth (my friend, it seems, has a cracking left hook) and had asked her about it. She said that it was a silly scrap and that as far as she was concerned the matter was closed. The police however demanded details (and apparently would not take no for an answer) eventually they managed to get from her the phone number of some mutual friends through whom they then managed to trace my friend and then brought her in and charged her with actual bodily harm. My friend will now have a police record for 6 years.

Now a number of things strike me as very suspect about this.

1) The girl who was attacked at no point made a complaint about the attack to the police.
2) She actually stated to the police that she wanted no further action to be taken.
3) The police not only ignored her wishes but pressured information out her so they could pursue the matter. They then pressurised information out of other people to get to my friend.
4) The police went out of their way to track down a girl who has been criminalised over an incident that neither party wanted the law to be involved in.

Just what where the police thinking? Perhaps I'm being cynical but I think they saw an easy way to meet a target. I can't think of any explanation for the police to get involved in a situation where neither party wanted them to be involved.

Perhaps a quota to fill?
Or perhaps her friend was not so honest with her?

Wierd. Kinda scary too. Maybe they were just a-hole cops and wanted somebody to harass. I think most police are just like the rest of us, some are cool and some are jerks. But it seems to me that it's a great career for bullies who like to feth with people for no reason. I've dealt with these kind before, it's not fun because your pretty much powerless. Luckily, I've also had those cops that could technically bust you for felony possession, but let you go home because they don't feel like filling out paperwork.

Which country or state was this in?

Pipboy101 wrote:Which country or state was this in?

England.

I'm sure that they have camera footage of the fight from their security cameras.

There are cameras everywhere these days in the UK. The Sun seems to delight in showing off the latest and hottest weekend snaps.

I would question what the friend actually told the police. The story sounds pretty suspect considering.

Mate, ive had many runs ins with the law, im pretty certain your friend is telling lies, and has asked the police to follow up on this case. Maybe she thinks she can get some cash from the criminal injuries compensation board from the split lip and chipped tooth, but feels ashamed to say "yeah i got the police onto you"

I know for a fact that the police aint that thorough, they "pressured" her, and then presurred other people to get to your friend?

It dont sound kosher to me, im pretty sure that the girl who got punched is pushing this through and then denying she called them. I mean, i had a bad black eye from playing rugby at my brothers wedding whilst pissed, and a mate of mine got chinned a few days later, at no point did the police "pressure" me about my eye injury in some desperate attempt to go "above and beyond" the call of duty.

Ive got several copper mates in the RMR as well, and ill ask them about it, but im 99% certain that your friends friend is telling porky pies so she doesnt look like a "grass"

BrookM wrote:There are cameras everywhere these days in the UK. The Sun seems to delight in showing off the latest and hottest weekend snaps.

Yeeesh! Sounds like "1984", or "V for vendetta" or something. Doesn't that creep you guys out? Also I hear since Brit-cops don't carry guns they beat the piss out of you with maglights instead! (never been across the pond so correct me if I'm wrong).

Yeeesh! Sounds like "1984", or "V for vendetta" or something. Doesn't that creep you guys out? Also I hear since Brit-cops don't carry guns they beat the piss out of you with maglights instead! (never been across the pond so correct me if I'm wrong).

You are wrong. Consider yourself corrected.

It's really not that noticeable unless you break the law. And who is it hurting? Cops with guns sounds like the wild west to brits - I'm sure no-one ever gets shot by accident though

Dont you start Whulf, thats Shuma talking right there!

I have never noticed a camera anywhere near my house, and in a crime hotspot in a big city i think i would find it reassuring.

The whole "1984" bollocks is utterly false, the fact is, if everyone is watching is all the time, how come there is so much bloody crime!?

People shouldnt believe everything they read.

And Brook is a cloggy, What the hell do they know?

I was stuck on a Dutch ship and after eating nothing other than Ice Cream sprinkles on toast and sour milk for breakfast for 3 months i swore i would never take advice from the Dutch ever again.

Norwulf wrote:

BrookM wrote:There are cameras everywhere these days in the UK. The Sun seems to delight in showing off the latest and hottest weekend snaps.

Yeeesh! Sounds like "1984", or "V for vendetta" or something. Doesn't that creep you guys out? Also I hear since Brit-cops don't carry guns they beat the piss out of you with maglights instead! (never been across the pond so correct me if I'm wrong).

We have our share of survalince cameras and cops who will kick the gak out of you on this side of the pond as well Norwulf,in many cases it's a simple matter of what neighborhood you happen to reside in wich determines the "profesionalism" of the officer your dealing with.
OT,it does sound as though your(LuciusAR) friends "rival" may have said more to the police than she want's to let on,and is now claiming "innocent" .

mattyrm wrote:
I was stuck on a Dutch ship and after eating nothing other than Ice Cream sprinkles on toast and sour milk for breakfast for 3 months i swore i would never take advice from the Dutch ever again.

Go to hell, those sprinkles are possibly the greatest thing that has ever come out of the Netherlands - I have half a shelf full of them.

I've never heard of the police being especially helpful, and would presume that either the other girl is lying about asking the police for more help (possibly for the compensation money - £20-60 or something like that), or the police wondered if she was being beaten at home.

The whole "1984" bollocks is utterly false, the fact is, if everyone is watching is all the time, how come there is so much bloody crime!?

It's because of the bad teeth.

ShumaGorath wrote:

The whole "1984" bollocks is utterly false, the fact is, if everyone is watching is all the time, how come there is so much bloody crime!?

It's because of the bad teeth.

If dental crimes make up a fair percentage of our crime rates then you may have solved the mystery there..

@Shuma - Myth. Go and watch an episode of any american talk-show (Ricki Lake et al). Pay close attention to the audience/guests. Now tell me americans have better teeth.

Gotta love Pro-American propaganda .

legoburner wrote:, or the police wondered if she was being beaten at home.

This is possiable,I'm not sure how Law enforcement in The UK works,but Issues of potential domestic vilonce will quickly get most law enforcements wind up.
It is possiable the officers assumed she was being beaten by a spouse/signifigant other,hence the regorious questioning,upon the lady stating it was a wound inflicted in a confrontation with another female the officers are then more likely to want to pursue the situation,having already vested time and perhaps paper work into the affair. (just a thought).

Norwulf wrote:

BrookM wrote:There are cameras everywhere these days in the UK. The Sun seems to delight in showing off the latest and hottest weekend snaps.

Yeeesh! Sounds like "1984", or "V for vendetta" or something. Doesn't that creep you guys out? Also I hear since Brit-cops don't carry guns they beat the piss out of you with maglights instead! (never been across the pond so correct me if I'm wrong).

most people who worry about security cameras are usually those that perform minor crimes (traffic offences, littering, pissing in the street), if you arn't a criminal you have nothing to worry about. security cameras in cities have been show to help dramatically in catching violent offenders and muggers, as they can follow offenders and provide evidence. security cameras also help those in need, allowing for the rapid responce of ambulances and police. as i've only been the victim of crime (an assault from a drunk who crashed my birthday and a break in) the police have been more than helpful, but like any organisation there may be a few bad apples among the stock.

@FITTZ - Exactly, the bobbies might have assumed her unwillingness to discuss the matter was result of domestic abuse. How many girls go out and get into punch-ups outside clubs? Actually, this is the UK we're talking about....

Albatross wrote:
You are wrong. Consider yourself corrected.

It's really not that noticeable unless you break the law. And who is it hurting? Cops with guns sounds like the wild west to brits - I'm sure no-one ever gets shot by accident though

Phew! Sounds like it's safe to visit jolly old England afterall. It sounded like you guys have cameras in every nook and cranny with signs that say" For your protection". I guess it just sounded scary to me because I wouldn't know where to go sneak a toke. I'm curious though, how do your police get along without guns? I Imagine they carry tasers, mace etc. But what about some nut with an assault rifle? Do you guys have SWAT teams with guns? I realize you don't need to whip out a pistol for every petty pickpocket, but I guess as a real American cowboy, not having guns makes me nervous. lol

Albatross wrote:@Shuma - Myth. Go and watch an episode of any american talk-show (Ricki Lake et al). Pay close attention to the audience/guests. Now tell me americans have better teeth.

Gotta love Pro-American propaganda .

BluntmanDC wrote:
most people who worry about security cameras are usually those that perform minor crimes (traffic offences, littering, pissing in the street), if you arn't a criminal you have nothing to worry about. security cameras in cities have been show to help dramatically in catching violent offenders and muggers, as they can follow offenders and provide evidence. security cameras also help those in need, allowing for the rapid responce of ambulances and police. as i've only been the victim of crime (an assault from a drunk who crashed my birthday and a break in) the police have been more than helpful, but like any organisation there may be a few bad apples among the stock.

See, I am one of those petty criminals who pisses in the street! Oh noes!

Mate can you get me the number for that blokes dentist? His teeth are fething awesome.

Norwulf wrote: I guess it just sounded scary to me because I wouldn't know where to go sneak a toke.

My house!

I'm curious though, how do your police get along without guns? I Imagine they carry tasers, mace etc. But what about some nut with an assault rifle? Do you guys have SWAT teams with guns? I realize you don't need to whip out a pistol for every petty pickpocket, but I guess as a real American cowboy, not having guns makes me nervous. lol

We have armed response officers with HK MP5s. Normal officers have a baton an CS gas spray thingy... plus a stab-vest and the old familiar 'tit-head' helmet!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
@Shuma - Touche!



But Canadian.

In all fairness Shuma,we have our share of poor dental hygiene on this side of the pond too.

FITZZ wrote: In all fairness Shuma,we have our share of poor dental hygiene on this side of the pond too.

I think you linked the wrong image, there are two englishman in that picture.

Iowa State?

Is that anywhere near Leeds?

What I found surprising recently, is that we actually have the best teeth in children, in the OECD (well joint 1st with Germany):

http://www.economist.com/daily/chartgallery/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15060097

It is apparently just appearance that is not so important, the quality is there.

legoburner wrote:What I found surprising recently, is that we actually have the best teeth in children, in the OECD (well joint 1st with Germany):

http://www.economist.com/daily/chartgallery/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15060097

It is apparently just appearance that is not so important, the quality is there.

Are polish kids just punching each other in the face all day?

Of course, because in the two hundred or so years since the USA has existed they have somehow managed to defy the laws of genetics and now have far better teeth (or for another little myth they like to believe in, better looking women) than a country who founded the place barely twenty generations ago.