Comments on: A response from Wandsworth police

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:23:14 +0000

Personally I have no problems being stopped and/or searched. It is more about how you are spoken to.

I would rather Police were able to stop and search prople than pick up the pieces of them following an act of terrorism. It is unfortunate that we live in a world where this is an issue, but due to a minority of people we have to adapt.
The people that complain about being stopped and searched are more than likely the same that would complain if a bomb was to go off and KILL someone they know, probably sreaming ‘Police did not do enough to protect us!’

We need to decide whether we want to be protected or accept that if it happens it happens.

From my experiences with the Police I am aware that they have a very hard and dangerous job, and if I could assist them in making England a safer place to live, I would.

I will stop rambling now and leave you all in peace, but I do think some of you need to think before you type.

All the best.

Ta Ta

By: cdss

cdss — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:27:23 +0000

This chap PC Colin Swan 444ww rescued 66 people from a burning Coach on the 31/07/2009, whilst travelling on the M3.
Thankfully, he never got the sack for his spelling mistake.

By: paulbradshaw

paulbradshaw — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:04:43 +0000

Incredible – and very useful to know as I get into this area more. If you want to use Help Me Investigate.com to push for more information let me know and I’ll send you an invite.

By: Gez

Gez — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:04:41 +0000

Homanah homanah.

By: sinders

sinders — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:27:06 +0000

Sorry you had to go through all that and everything, but what an interesting read….although I have one complaint. I really wanted one of the links about “figures” to lead to something like this:
http://snurl.com/knul8

By: PAUL POPE

PAUL POPE — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:03:54 +0000

The Metropolitan Police in Wandsworth Borough are already under investigation for a brutal physical beating which was inflicted on a female almost a year and a half ago.

By: JD (The Engine Room)

JD (The Engine Room) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:47:31 +0000

Without sounding too patronising: well done, Gez, for following this up with the officer and also publicising your rights under section 44. I blogged about Section 44 myself a while back after I spotted the police stopping and searching folk at my local station (not too far from Clapham Junction, as it happens). http://engineroomblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/section-44-of-terrorism-act-2000.html#comments Since then I've seen them do it a few more times, each time with a large number of officers (eight to twelve: rather excessive for a commuter station) and each time stopping and searching a high proportion of teenage girls. Seriously! My personal feeling is that in my area at least, the police are looking for knives (or are trying to be seen to be tackling knife crime, which is rather different). Either way, that's still an abuse of power.

By: Gez

Gez — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:43:57 +0000

Actually, Dave. I think that’s a much better approach than stopping people randomly in the street. The teachers know these kids and by identifying those who are vulnerable to radicalisation and working with them, especially in conjunction with the moderate Islamic community, they can tackle home-grown terrorism at the root.

I see what you are saying about the selection procedure though…

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:32:17 +0000

It could be worse, imagine being shopped to the police by your schoolteacher for “being a bit terroristy” – http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-identify-200-children-as-potential-terrorists-1656027.html

By: Gez

Gez — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:48:00 +0000

Them Alkalidas love a tank-top

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:52:50 +0000

Plus, when you wear certain clothes – I’m thinking the tank top over a shirt get-up – you can look ever so slightly terroristy

By: Gez

Gez — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:59:23 +0000

Thanks. As it happens, after I objected to being stopped they didn’t even search me. All they did was take my details. What I didn’t realise at the time is that under section 44 stop and search is the only power they have.

You DO NOT have to give your details or explain your presence. Of course most people, including me, just hand over ID when asked by a policeman.

I suppose I could take the view that I was in an area near a train station and in this day and age it pays to be vigilent etc. However in many cases, these powers are used as a flimsy excuse to harass and get information on protesters and members of the press.

By: groovegenerator

groovegenerator — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:15:07 +0000

Excellent piece. I do hope that you also write to your MP with your findings, and also the MP for the seat in which your found yourself subject to the search. We all support the Police in their work, but we cannot continue to accept this acceleration into a state of fear. Excellent Google!