Is it a criminal offence to serve a police officer?

[padanarm]

Is it a criminal offence for a shopkeeper to sell goods to a uniformed police officer while on duty?

[BertiWooster]

Why would it be ?

[Rollo]

Only if it is illegal to sell the item(s) concerned.

If Mr Plod wants to buy a cheese roll then it is perfectly OK to sell him one. But if he wants to buy a gun then that's probably a nono.

[Postdog]

Dunno about law, but some shops won't sell certain items to people in uniform, even if off duty. Read once about an ambulance man who tried to buy booze after work and they wouldn't serve him.

[Barmaid]

I've got a feeling it used to be (and maybe still is) an offence to serve a constable in uniform alcohol. But I might have dreamt it.

[Rollo]

Surely if there was such a statute it would be prejudicing said Plod's human rights.

[padanarm]

A man in a pub told me it was an offence, not sure whether I believe him.

[paraffin]

No.

[hc4361]

Only alcohol, under the Licensing Act.
84 Offences in relation to constables
If a licence-holder or his employee or agent�
(a)knowingly suffers to remain in his premises any constable during any part of the time appointed for the constable�s being on duty, except for the purpose of the execution of the constable�s duty; or
(b)knowingly supplies any liquor or refreshment, whether by way of a gift or sale to any constable on duty, except by authority of a superior officer of the constable;
the licence-holder, employee or agent, as the case may be, shall be guilty of an offence.

[stonekicker]

do you believe everything people tell you in pubs? sad...

[hammerman]

My dad always used to go into shops and buy stuff with his police uniform on....quite often, they'd give him a healthy discount !!! :-)