Surely Obstructing The Highway Is Already A Crime??

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58796805
What new powers are needed? Just tell plod to do their job and clear the scum off the road. end of.

[gulliver1]

Damn Savages.

[Bobbisox1]

I’ve just watched the leader Liam Norton being interviewed ,
What a nutter !

[roadman]

i thought being on the motorway without a motor was illegal let alone obstructing the road

[naomi24]

Good point, roadman.

[barry1010]

The new law will have tougher penalties with a longer prison sentence.

[ToraToraTora]

great barry but that means nowt if plod don't make use of it. Priti is the boss she should tell them to get off their Aprils and do some coppering.

[barry1010]

Trying to think what rhymes with 'showers'.

[dannyk13]

Gressida Dick is the person who should be ordering her men to carry out their duty and shift these idiots.

[barry1010]

There has been arrests, some have been held on remand but "Lisa Townsend, Surrey’s police and crime commissioner, said it was difficult to bring charges against the group, with minor charges likely to be discontinued and more serious charges having too high a threshold to meet."
This is why a new law is being considered.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/01/insulate-britain-protesters-bring-traffic-to-halt-on-m1-and-m4

[ToraToraTora]

ok great however the goose is cooked is fine by me.

[ToraToraTora]

Danny: "Gressida Dick is the person who should be ordering her men to carry out their duty and shift these idiots. " - yep and Priti should be ordering her to do just that.

[bednobs]

am uncomfortable that they are bringing in orders for people "likely to commit a crime".
it's a bit minority report-ish
However, i also suspect i'd be uncomfortable lying in the back of an ambulance that couldnt get me to pain relief because roads were being blocked.
It's a dilemma!

[goodgoalie]

barry - It's 'April in Paris' = aris

[New Judge]

//...am uncomfortable that they are bringing in orders for people "likely to commit a crime".//

Why is that, bednobs? All sorts of orders are made every day against people who are "likely to commit a crime". Examples include non-molestation orders and domestic violence prevention orders. Orders are made keeping persistent shoplifters out of shops and people who cannot behave properly when they've had a drink out of licenced premises. When somebody has demonstrated that they have a propensity to commit crimes it is necessary to protect the public (as far as reasonably practical) from the effects of their activities. These berks have demonstrated (and stated) that they will continue to offend. The police and the justice system have a duty to prevent that reoffending and court orders, which provide for a greater penalty than the signature offence itself, are among the tools necessary to do that job.

[ToraToraTora]

TBH I'm not bothererd if they are prosecuted or not just drag them off the highway and keep doing it until they realise it ain't working. We let them block traffic now and they think great that worked, we'll do it again.

[sunny-dave]

Surely a bit of innovative policing could remove the need for actually prosecuting anyone - simply chuck each and every protester in the back of a police van and take them to a designated police station for 'processing and verification' of their IDs - then boot them out of the front door.

A bit of care could ensure that the designated station is in the back of beyond with zero public transport links and strangely unavailable local taxi firms ... and (of course) none of the protestors would have a car ...

[youngmafbog]

Used the right word there to describe them NJ ;-)

I dont care what has to be done, although I must admit I though what Roadman wrote would be sufficient, just do whatever is necessary to get them off the roads. 1st offence big fine and warning, next one jail.

[ToraToraTora]

great idea Dave.

[youngmafbog]

Nice one Dave.

[Buenchico]

>>> Surely Obstructing The Highway Is Already A Crime??

Yes, but "wilful obstruction of the highway" is a non-indictable offence (Section 137, Highways Act 1980) and therefore police do NOT have the power of arrest in relation to it.