Is The Uk Turning Into An Authoritarian Hole?

[Kromovaracun]

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/police-threaten-to-arrest-facebook-users-after-tiny-drugs-bust-mocked-a3836296.html

Facebook users have been threatened with prosecution by police because they made fun of a small drugs bust.

Is "being disrespectful" to police on the internet really grounds for prosecution?

[Zacs-Master]

It’s a bit of a leap from Facebook wags being threatened with arrest to ‘a hole’.

[Mamyalynne]

Their page, so they can regulate it - if the responses were "insulting, abusive or offensive" (I have no idea) then those removed will have to show their shining wit elsewhere.

[ummmm]

Yes, you wouldn't do it to their face so don't do it online. It's respect.

[Kromovaracun]

Banning is one thing. Threatening with arrest though...?

[Mamyalynne]

Timely warning maybe.

[nailit]

Police are a law unto themselves, always have been.

[Zacs-Master]

Seems a fair response to me.

[Kromovaracun]

Threatening people with arrest seems like a fair response to you?

For being insufficiently "respectful" to men in uniform?

[Mamyalynne]

It's simply the equivalent of..

'Not under my roof'

or

'Get outta my pub'

[nailit]

Respect has to be earned, not demanded just because they wear a uniform.

[Zacs-Master]

Erm....yes. That’s why I wrote it.

Do you admit that using this instance as an example of the country turning into ‘a hole’ might have been a bit of an exaggeration?

[ummmm]

Police are always going to be hit and miss, just like the posters on here. You can't expect everyone to have the same personalities or opinions.

[nailit]

//Police are always going to be hit and miss, just like the posters on here.//
But unlike on here, the police have got the advantage of been able to arrest, charge and get you locked up if they don't like what you say.

[ummmm]

Does respect always have to be earned? I respect my doctor from the instant I walk into his room. I respect everyone, until they prove they can't be respected, not the other way round.

[dannyk13]

It is the law not individual officers that requires respect.

[nailit]

I neither respect nor disrespect anyone until Ive had dealings with them, how can I until ive known them?

[ummmm]

Nailit - did you do something naughty though?

I have had a few experiences with the police. Some shockingly bad and some over overbearingly good.

[Mamyalynne]

If people break the law on a Police FB page, they are a bit dim if they are then threatened with that said law.

Here's a thought - rather than having a pop why not go and do something useful in the Community to support the Officers and point them towards problems that need solving.

[Kromovaracun]

//Do you admit that using this instance as an example of the country turning into ‘a hole’ might have been a bit of an exaggeration? //

Sure! I reserve my right to exaggerate.

It does fit into a wider pattern, though. I find the recent clamouring for ID cards, the recent behaviour of the press, and the government's open enthusiasm for data-harvesting/surveillance laws to be concerning. And alien to our history as a country that respects civil liberties.

[Old_Geezer]

Dunno about a hole; yet. But didn't enforced 20mph near everywhere without legitimate reason (save trying to fine decent folk) not give you a clue as to where we're heading ?