Man being chased by police - should you help?

[Private Pile]

I don't think you have a choice. Your fight or flight system kicks in.

It's happened to me twice. Once I just stood there like a prick. The other time I was rolling about on the floor with the police and 4 bad guys.

[anonymous-user]

Eclassy said:

If such a law really exists, its another one that supports the argument of one rule for them and one for us.

I would agree, except it actually supports the complete opposite. The police are legally obligated to help the public, so if a law exists for the other way around, it's actually the same rule for both.

The law does exist, but it's old and unused.

[Jasandjules]

I've mentioned this before but at Fenchurch one evening some bloke was scrapping with two fairly small WPCs on the platform. Some bloke just walked over (he was a pretty large chap), and punched the bloke who went down like a sack of spuds. The two WPCs climbed over him and started cuffing, and one just said "Cheers" to the guy who was now just strolling back to get his train..

[Fartomatic5000]

I drove my car at a man being persued by police. The screech of tyres and sight of a car heading right for him startled him and broke his pace. I then followed him up the road (in the car) and pointed the on-foot officers down the alleyway he had taken.

[XCP]

I was rolling around on the pavement outside a fairly rough pub with a rather large chap and a rather small Inspector. Out of the corner of my eye I saw another large chap that I propped against regularly in local rugby. I thought if he joins in we're done for.
He smacked the yob and said 'leave that copper alone, he's alright'. And he helped sit on him all the way to the nick.

Front row union I guess, always had a few pints with the guy at games afterwards

[Greendubber]

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.

I wouldn't want your help after seeing how you flapped it when that bloke tapped your window in that video you shot.

[longblackcoat]

LoonR1 said:

I wouldn't. I was given an FPN in 1993 for speeding and as a direct result I lost all respect for the police and refuse to help them in any way.

That's the correct answer for PH isn't it?

Bet the FPN made your insurance premium go up as well. Rip-off insurance companies, grrr, etc etc

[Bigends]

Carnage said:

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.

Fine until you injure the villain - then see what support you get

[Mk3Spitfire]

Greendubber said:

I wouldn't want your help after seeing how you flapped it when that bloke tapped your window in that video you shot.

Ha! There can be no come back to that.

[anonymous-user]

Bigends said:

Carnage said:

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.

Fine until you injure the villain - then see what support you get

Plenty, unless you know otherwise (queue one internet search example).

If you act honestly, instinctively and with the best intentions you'll be fine.

[Greendubber]

Mk3Spitfire said:

Ha! There can be no come back to that.

There will be and it'll involve 'so called' and 'apologist'.

[selym]

Greendubber said:

I wouldn't want your help after seeing how you flapped it when that bloke tapped your window in that video you shot.

Linky definitely required!

[Mk3Spitfire]

Bigends said:

Fine until you injure the villain - then see what support you get

Once again.....bizzare post for an officer of 40 years. The relevant legislation has even been quoted for you???

[Mk3Spitfire]

Greendubber said:

There will be and it'll involve 'so called' and 'apologist'.

And "one rule for them, one...." Hang on....

[Justin Cyder]

Remember that old dear in Lincoln who gave a couple of knobs trying to rob a jewellers a good handbagging? That's how you do it.

[Bigends]

Mk3Spitfire said:

Bigends said:

Fine until you injure the villain - then see what support you get

Once again.....bizzare post for an officer of 40 years. The relevant legislation has even been quoted for you???[/quo

Ok should have qualified my answer - trip or rugby tackle may be seen as ok - punch in the mouth for example would be a no no. Cops are educated as to what is reasonable - public aren't - what they see as best of intent / good faith wont fit with reasonable force definition and they may find themselves in hot water.

[davamer23]

It would be pretty cool to stop a genuine scumbag who was on the run from the Police.

http://m.imgur.com/gallery/Zchmwzp

[Eclassy]

Greendubber said:

I wouldn't want your help after seeing how you flapped it when that bloke tapped your window in that video you shot.

Take this L. You are a disgrace to the profession (if you are a real copper that is) Do you go about harrassing people on a daily basis?

You give the few good policemen a bad name.

[Eclassy]

La Liga said:

lenty, unless you know otherwise (queue one internet search example).

If you act honestly, instinctively and with the best intentions you'll be fine.

So would you be considered a national hero if you trip a 15 year old who is running from the police after stealing a bag of sweets from a local Tesco. He falls, splits his head on the kerb and dies on the spot.

[selym]

Eclassy said:

Take this L. You are a disgrace to the profession (if you are a real copper that is) Do you go about harrassing people on a daily basis?

You give the few good policemen a bad name.

Have you always had an issue with authority?