I think you will observe that a lot of these protests have been cut some some slack. Take the Speakers Corner mob that tip up every day. For two reasons. To allow 'freedom of speech' and the logistics of mass arrests/processing. These people are wanting to become martyrs to their Youtube followers. The Police basically contain the sheep until they run out of steam. I use the term 'sheep' as they tend to wander aimlessly about, in the immediate area waiting for the next bit of excitement, and have to be herded.
Some will cross the line and get themselves dealt with to the entertainment of the remainder who will then have the excuse to shout the usual expletives at the Nazi Police and "shame on you". Record the institutional brutality and splash it all over Youtube.
And remember the majority of the tax paying public are trying to conform to the restrictions as best they can and cant understand how it is that the minority are allowed to get away with what they are doing.
So onto Bournemouth. I'm making the assumption that exactly the same thing happened there. One of the Officers said that they had been followed around the town for quite a period of time.
We do not know where they came from but being 'protesters' I am making the assumption that it could have been from a fair distance but maybe not.
In any event the continuous breaching of the regulations is apparent and deemed to be talking the urine. They've had their opportunity for protest allowed but continue to push and push until action has to be taken. A bit like the naughty child. This is the set up bit.
So how do you deal? What is the substantive offence? It's a breach of the Covid Regulations. Nothing else. I feel it should be 'Wasting Police Time' but that's a personal belief.
It is a Fixed Penalty Offence - £200 reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days. If the person refuses name and address or provides false details then they can be arrested. Which these were and relishing in the drama.
Worse case scenario is being Reported for Summons or Charged to Court. The outcome would probably be very similar to the FPN which is reasonably severe. So why go through all the time consuming pain of all the other options for the same outcome. And for proportionality reasons once someone is identified then they cant be kept in custody unless there are other issues.
Of course once these clowns had achieve their objectives and it was all 'in the can' to be fed to the gullible masses they had achieved their objectives. Name and address provide and 'Sorry to waste your time Officers' - Result! Except they were rumbled. But a an amount of damage to policing was achieved.
Last edited by: Fullchat on Mon 11 Jan 21 at 11:47
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