Man being chased by police - should you help?
Discussion
Random one this!
Was in Sheffield at the weekend and a man came running around the corner ahead of us followed by a police officer who was clearly chasing him. The officer is shouting stop so I try to stop the man by grabbing him, but only succeed in slowing him down as my grip was poor. In hindsight I could have just stuck my leg out and tripped him up, but here lies my question - if I was to trip him up and he falls and knocks his teeth out (for example), would I be liable for this and potentially in "trouble"? Wish I hadn't have bothered as I now have a sore hand - doh!
Was in Sheffield at the weekend and a man came running around the corner ahead of us followed by a police officer who was clearly chasing him. The officer is shouting stop so I try to stop the man by grabbing him, but only succeed in slowing him down as my grip was poor. In hindsight I could have just stuck my leg out and tripped him up, but here lies my question - if I was to trip him up and he falls and knocks his teeth out (for example), would I be liable for this and potentially in "trouble"? Wish I hadn't have bothered as I now have a sore hand - doh!
TomJackUK said:
Random one this!
Was in Sheffield at the weekend and a man came running around the corner ahead of us followed by a police officer who was clearly chasing him. The officer is shouting stop so I try to stop the man by grabbing him, but only succeed in slowing him down as my grip was poor. In hindsight I could have just stuck my leg out and tripped him up, but here lies my question - if I was to trip him up and he falls and knocks his teeth out (for example), would I be liable for this and potentially in "trouble"? Wish I hadn't have bothered as I now have a sore hand - doh!
You'd be fine - S.3 Criminal Law Act, any person can use reasonable force in assisting in the arrest of an offender. Fair play for you for pitching in.Was in Sheffield at the weekend and a man came running around the corner ahead of us followed by a police officer who was clearly chasing him. The officer is shouting stop so I try to stop the man by grabbing him, but only succeed in slowing him down as my grip was poor. In hindsight I could have just stuck my leg out and tripped him up, but here lies my question - if I was to trip him up and he falls and knocks his teeth out (for example), would I be liable for this and potentially in "trouble"? Wish I hadn't have bothered as I now have a sore hand - doh!
A girl I used to know was as hard as nails. She saw a similar thing as she was going to the bank in a rough area of Leeds. She ducked into a doorway and as the miscreant appeared at speed leant out and levelled him with one punch. She then jumped astride him and gave him a good punching. The cop had to ask her to stop! They were very grateful and carted off the bruised and bleeding runner. No action against her.
I'm in two minds about this after personal experience. 20+ years ago I was in Ealing, just got out of my car when a scenario as you describe unfolds. As the pusuee got closer I must have motioned towards him, but from probably 6-10ft away he sprayed something in my eyes. I was blinded and felt a burning sensation in both eyes. Thought it was acid of some sort, genuinely feared for my sight. Never been so scared of anything in my life.
Managed to stumble into the nearest shop and get some cold water in them, which helped immediately. reduced the burning and restored somewhat blurrey vision. After a quick trip to hospital for a proper clean and appraisal I was sent home with some drops, I think it took a couple of days before all was back to normal.
So in answer to your question, I can't be sure if I would again or not.
Managed to stumble into the nearest shop and get some cold water in them, which helped immediately. reduced the burning and restored somewhat blurrey vision. After a quick trip to hospital for a proper clean and appraisal I was sent home with some drops, I think it took a couple of days before all was back to normal.
So in answer to your question, I can't be sure if I would again or not.
markmullen said:
A girl I used to know was as hard as nails. She saw a similar thing as she was going to the bank in a rough area of Leeds. She ducked into a doorway and as the miscreant appeared at speed leant out and levelled him with one punch. She then jumped astride him and gave him a good punching. The cop had to ask her to stop! They were very grateful and carted off the bruised and bleeding runner. No action against her.
Going back some year, I lived and worked in Leeds for 3 months. All the girls were like that! Carnage said:
You'd be fine - S.3 Criminal Law Act, any person can use reasonable force in assisting in the arrest of an offender. Fair play for you for pitching in.
It's also an offence not to assist the Police when requested. There was a bit of an outcry when someone was charged with this a few years ago and IIRC the case was dropped.I would, well in fact I did. I was in Chapeltown, (the one near Ecclesfield, Sheffield), in the late 90's & saw 2 young guys on a moped being chased by a couple of bobbies on foot and a couple of cars as well. At one point they mounted the kerb & drove straight towards me & my then partner, so I held her against the wall & as they drove past at no more than 20mph I kicked the back wheel of the bike & they came off in a rather pleasing manner, with a few scrapes & a bit of blood.
I got a "thanks" from one of the officers & we went on our merry way, & that was that.
I got a "thanks" from one of the officers & we went on our merry way, & that was that.
Sheepshanks said:
markmullen said:
A girl I used to know was as hard as nails. She saw a similar thing as she was going to the bank in a rough area of Leeds. She ducked into a doorway and as the miscreant appeared at speed leant out and levelled him with one punch. She then jumped astride him and gave him a good punching. The cop had to ask her to stop! They were very grateful and carted off the bruised and bleeding runner. No action against her.
Going back some year, I lived and worked in Leeds for 3 months. All the girls were like that! JustinP1 said:
Ahh - accurate memories of my uni days with nights out in Majestyk's in the late nineties!
It was a bit before that...the office girls used to take us a place called the Barcelona. It seemed pretty dodgy but there was always a big gang of us, and they knew everybody anyway.Sheepshanks said:
JustinP1 said:
Ahh - accurate memories of my uni days with nights out in Majestyk's in the late nineties!
It was a bit before that...the office girls used to take us a place called the Barcelona. It seemed pretty dodgy but there was always a big gang of us, and they knew everybody anyway.That had the 12m diameter revolving dance floor. I remember having to bundle two lady-friends I was with off that as I saw that we were being revolved into a glass-fight with blood and broken bottles flying everywhere.
At my old house there was huge commotion outside with police chasing after some horrible, ghastly hoodies.
Next thing one has dropped into the back garden and set off the security lights and is obviously looking to hide. So I go out and find this shell suited scrote hiding under branches in the compost heap - he then tries to hit me. So I decked him and started punching f
k out of him just as a copper comes over my shed roof. Copper says "cheers mate" and proceeds to belt the daylights out of the scrote while I unlocked the gate. It was most gratifying, and I certainly didn't get in trouble.
(If anyone from the IPCC or some bleeding-heart liberal is reading this - it's not true. I invented all of it. The policemant treated the scrote with kid gloves and respect).
Next thing one has dropped into the back garden and set off the security lights and is obviously looking to hide. So I go out and find this shell suited scrote hiding under branches in the compost heap - he then tries to hit me. So I decked him and started punching f
k out of him just as a copper comes over my shed roof. Copper says "cheers mate" and proceeds to belt the daylights out of the scrote while I unlocked the gate. It was most gratifying, and I certainly didn't get in trouble.(If anyone from the IPCC or some bleeding-heart liberal is reading this - it's not true. I invented all of it. The policemant treated the scrote with kid gloves and respect).
JustinP1 said:
Ahh - accurate memories of my uni days with nights out in Majestyk's in the late nineties!
Oh my god - our works "do" at Christmas ended up in there - that revolving dance floor looked like some kind of heaving ant colony from above. I have a penchant for the chubby ladies and I had promised the OH (who is not a chubby lady, and who's sister was my boss) that I would abstain from indulging in the jellies.This all went horribly wrong when the next issue of the company magazine comes out and what's on the cover - a big photo of drunken me holding a bottle of champagne and with a very busty, party frocked drunken chubster on each arm. Oh I got in trouble
Nope.
Police have never helped me. Its their job. I would like to be charged for failing to assist a policeman. It sounds laughable to be honest.
Imagine if such applied to all sections of the population. My lord, this man is charged with failing to assist the bus driver.
If such a law really exists, its another one that supports the argument of one rule for them and one for us.
Police have never helped me. Its their job. I would like to be charged for failing to assist a policeman. It sounds laughable to be honest.
Imagine if such applied to all sections of the population. My lord, this man is charged with failing to assist the bus driver.
If such a law really exists, its another one that supports the argument of one rule for them and one for us.
JustinP1 said:
Sheepshanks said:
JustinP1 said:
Ahh - accurate memories of my uni days with nights out in Majestyk's in the late nineties!
It was a bit before that...the office girls used to take us a place called the Barcelona. It seemed pretty dodgy but there was always a big gang of us, and they knew everybody anyway.That had the 12m diameter revolving dance floor. I remember having to bundle two lady-friends I was with off that as I saw that we were being revolved into a glass-fight with blood and broken bottles flying everywhere.
Had nothing on T and C club... saw Fun lovin Criminals there in the late 90s.
Eclassy said:
Nope.
Police have never helped me. Its their job. I would like to be charged for failing to assist a policeman. It sounds laughable to be honest.
Imagine if such applied to all sections of the population. My lord, this man is charged with failing to assist the bus driver.
If such a law really exists, its another one that supports the argument of one rule for them and one for us.
LoonR1 obviously knew you were gonna post on here Police have never helped me. Its their job. I would like to be charged for failing to assist a policeman. It sounds laughable to be honest.
Imagine if such applied to all sections of the population. My lord, this man is charged with failing to assist the bus driver.
If such a law really exists, its another one that supports the argument of one rule for them and one for us.
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