was I right or wrong?
Author
Discussion

nightmare

Original Poster:

5,277 posts

307 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
well okay - to be fair I know I was very wrong legally speaking but....

there is a nice park fairly near where Im currently working where a friend and I often go and have lunch. It's actually a nature reserve and practically unused (the other people who do use it strike us both as highly dodgy - am fairly certain its a local knocking spot as it goes).

We often go and buy sarnies etc.. from M&S then go and park up and eat food in park. On this occaision there was s BMW 318, with tints, also parked up.

lunch finished we put all our wrappers etc. into the M&S carrier, I get out of car and walk to bin to put rubbish in (there are 6 bins!!). As I walk past parked BM, the window winds down and this McDonalds cup and bag is thrown out onto the ground. bear in mind the car is parked within 3 feet of a litter bin.

Now littering irritates me. A lot. Its selfish, arrogant, shows no concern for anyone else or more imrtpoantly wildlife, and is just completely unecessary.

Anyway. I picked the thrown junk out, turned and put it in the bin and then clearly said, to the car (couldnt see occupants cos of tints)
"real f**king effort wasn't it?"

At this point the door flies open and two suited rep stylee twats leap out and start shouting at me

"What did you f**king say?"
"I said "real effort wasn't it" (lying a bit)
"No you f**ing didn't, you f**king swore at us"
"okay", I said, "I did and apologise for that, but next time how about you put the rubbish in the bin?"
"You can f**k off, I'll do what I f**king want, you w*nker. You want some?" (very agressive)

At this point I seriously considered putting him in a box. I was quite cross and he was the sort of over-dressed twat I would have enjoyed hitting. Instead I said

"Im off duty at the moment. If you want it to stay that way I suggest you shut the f**k up and get back in your car. Next time I see you I will arrest you for littering - do you understand?"

this stopped em both dead, he mumbled something and they got back in the car and drove off with much wheel spinning.

Now I know that I was wrong and I also know I handled the whole thing very badly from start to finish...but Im not sure what I should have done instead really? I also know it was illegal, but heh....

Should I have just ignored it all?

Night

>>> Edited by nightmare on Friday 3rd September 17:14

towman

14,938 posts

262 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
Just perfect!

Only thing I would have done differently - his litter would have gone back in his car. i.e. excuse me,I think you dropped this. Then launch it at the upholstery.

You cant do that, but I can! (and have)

Steve

>> Edited by towman on Friday 3rd September 17:01

supraman2954

3,241 posts

262 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
nightmare said:
............."Im off duty at the moment............
I really must remember this line!
towman said:
Just perfect!

Only thing I would have done differently - his litter would have gone back in his car. i.e. excuse me,I think you dropped this. Then launch it at the upholstery.

You cant do that, but I can! (and have)

Steve

>> Edited by towman on Friday 3rd September 17:01

bravo to the both of you

ATG

23,001 posts

295 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
He never actually said he was a police offer.
"off duty" ... could be a lifeguard
"I'll arrest you" ... citizen's arrest
Anyway, I absolve you of all your sins ... (not plasphemous, I never said I am your one true God...)

Balmoral Green

42,557 posts

271 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
I was following an old Sierra on the Derby ringroad today, bunch of chavs in the car throwing empty beer cans out, the cans were actually hitting other cars. I would have liked to have done something, but there were five of them and they looked very scary, despite the gold chains and Burberry being an object of ridicule.

Harvey Road Derby, Chav central.

In the past I have thrown litter back into cars if given the opportunity, eg stopped at traffic lights.

I dont think you did wrong at all nightmare. You did good.

Muncher

12,235 posts

272 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
mungo said:

supraman2954 said:


nightmare said:
............."Im off duty at the moment............


I really must remember this line!





What so you can get done for impersonating a police officer???


Where did he say he was a police officer?

supraman2954

3,241 posts

262 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
Muncher said:

mungo said:


supraman2954 said:



nightmare said:
............."Im off duty at the moment............



I really must remember this line!





What so you can get done for impersonating a police officer???



Where did he say he was a police officer?
Can you get done for impersonating an OFF DUTY officer?

silverback mike

11,292 posts

276 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
I won't tell anyone if you don't nightmare. I hate littering too, one of my pet hates in fact.

But littering is a non arrestable offence...ahem

towman

14,938 posts

262 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
nightmare said:
On this occaision there was s BMW 318, with tints, also parked up.


Obviously confused in the heat of the moment. Actual offence is "Being in posession of an offensive car"

Steve

Muncher

12,235 posts

272 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
silverback mike said:
I won't tell anyone if you don't nightmare. I hate littering too, one of my pet hates in fact.

But littering is a non arrestable offence...ahem


Common law assault is though

deltaf

6,806 posts

276 months

Friday 3rd September 2004
quotequote all
Thats by far the funniest thing ive read all week.

Nice one!

silverback mike

11,292 posts

276 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all
Muncher said:

silverback mike said:
I won't tell anyone if you don't nightmare. I hate littering too, one of my pet hates in fact.

But littering is a non arrestable offence...ahem



Common law assault is though


You would struggle on that one in this situation.
Also, section 39 common assault is reportable, however section 47 assault occasioning actual bodily harm is most definately a winner.
The higher you go the better really, section 3, 18 are the real big boys.

robocop

489 posts

260 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all
Nice one nightmare!

The only difference is that I would have made THEM pick it up themselves.

It makes them feel so small and inconsequential doing the 'walk of shame' to the bin. Particularly effective in the High Street on Sat morning. Normally preceeded by a loud 'OI YOU!' to get everyones attention first

But well done for facing up.

Rgds

pvapour

8,981 posts

276 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all


well done, nice to hear of someone with a spine.

philthy

4,697 posts

263 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all
Top man nightmare !
Drives me nuts as well.
Phil

Streetcop

5,907 posts

261 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all
We have a "Dont be a tosser" campaign in my force area....

If an off duty Bib witnesses someone from a car throwing litter out....the Bib can fill in a statement back at work and the local council will issue a fine to the culprit.

Street

Streetcop

5,907 posts

261 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all
nightmare said:
On this occaision there was s BMW 318, with tints.


I have a theory....but...

nightmare said:
(couldnt see occupants cos of tints)


Did I tell you I had a theory?

nightmare said:
Should I have just ignored it all?


Nah...You did 'mint' mate...well done..

The kind of behaviour displayed by the occupants of the car you described really grips my shite.

You also found the kind of adrenalin rush that I feel daily by dealing with scum and their behaviour and walking away afterwards unscathed. Great, isn't it.

Good on ya mate...

Street

silverback mike

11,292 posts

276 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all
Only pulling your leg matey....

where's it gone??????????

How's your tutorship going?

silverback mike

11,292 posts

276 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all
Good man.

Streetcop

5,907 posts

261 months

Saturday 4th September 2004
quotequote all
Aye...centralish would be good....

Street