Brunstrom doesnt back off (shock horror)
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/real_story/3271595.stm
BBC said:
'Terrorist' speed camera rebels
Chief Constable Brunstrom has led a campaign against speeding
Speed camera protestors prepared to use explosives have been branded "terrorists" by the Association of Chief Police Officers spokesman, Richard Brunstrom.
Speaking on BBC One's Real Story, Mr Brunstrom was reacting to recent incidents in Northern Ireland and Nottingham where roadside cameras have been blown up.
"We've had things that are effectively terrorist devices, bombs, planted in speed cameras. It's lucky that no-one's been killed yet," he told the programme.
"These are people who as far as I can see would prefer to be allowed to drive dangerously and kill their fellow citizens, or my wife and children, or your family standing next to a bus stop, than pay a fixed penalty ticket for speeding."
The bombings are the most serious attacks so far in protests that have seen cameras across the UK destroyed with saws, angle grinders and paint.
'Terrorist behaviour'
The activist group Motorists Against Detection (MAD) says it has damaged 700 cameras.
A spokesman for MAD told Real Story that only cameras in isolated rural locations would be targeted by explosives.
"In a deserted place miles from anyone the only person they (the bombers) are going to hurt is themselves," he said.
Responding, Mr Brunstrom said the police had a duty to treat the attacks very seriously.
"This is terrorism - not of the sort that we fear internationally but this is terrorist behaviour. People making and planting bombs is terrorism and that's how we're treating it."
He admitted the police could have taken earlier attacks more seriously.
Jail sentence
"I think frankly we've been a bit slow to recognise how big the problem was. We've only just in the last year or so begun to realise just how serious the attack is."
The first speed camera protestor to face prison for his actions could go to jail for up to three years later this month.
Police caught Karl Joyce attempting to set fire to a camera in Norwich that had captured two of his family speeding. Magistrates referred his case to the Crown Court after deciding their maximum penalty of six months in prison would not reflect the seriousness of the crime.
However, MAD's spokesman told Real Story that prison sentences would not stop the group from destroying speed cameras.
bum-strum said:
"These are people who as far as I can see would prefer to be allowed to drive dangerously and kill their fellow citizens, or my wife and children, or your family standing next to a bus stop, than pay a fixed penalty ticket for speeding."
Perhaps one of the PH plod can tell us how many dangerous driving prosecutions have followed detection by camera?
By definition people given SP50's are driving safely or they would simply be prosecuted for dangerous or careless driving instead of speeding.
The man is a moron!
>> Edited by toad_oftoadhall on Tuesday 18th November 10:07
Isn't "terrorism" an amazing word since the powers that be seem to be using it on anyone who has complaints about "the system"?
So it seems yet again that crimes against "the system" are viewed as more serious as crimes against people. Hence someone looking to take out a camera is more of a menace to society than burglers etc?
>> Edited by RichardD on Tuesday 18th November 10:06
So it seems yet again that crimes against "the system" are viewed as more serious as crimes against people. Hence someone looking to take out a camera is more of a menace to society than burglers etc?
>> Edited by RichardD on Tuesday 18th November 10:06
streaky said:
Invoking 'terrorism' is OK! All that the accused then has to do is to claim memmbership of the IRA and Bliar will let them off ... regardless of the crimes they commit
Yeah Streaky, but how would one know if one was a memeber of the IRA? I mean, after all it is a highly secretive organisation......
bum-strum said:
"These are people who as far as I can see would prefer to be allowed to drive dangerously and kill their fellow citizens, or my wife and children, or your family standing next to a bus stop, than pay a fixed penalty ticket for speeding."
Hmmm, what you mean drive dangerously and kill their fellow citizen like your daughter does, and you have admitted to doing yourself you hypocrytical w*nker
RichardD said:
Isn't "terrorism" an amazing word since the powers that be seem to be using it on anyone who has complaints about "the system"?
So it seems yet again that crimes against "the system" are viewed as more serious as crimes against people.
There's a word for this situation. It's called dictatorship. And it's what happens when you let arrogant arseholes run everything. Time for a change methinks.
I am not 318ti (honest !!!) but:-
Many posters around here are protesting against the present iniquitous system of dishing out FPNs rather than the police catching bad drivers. Old Brainstorm is one of the protagonists of the present system. He too will try to fight back - the same as any of us would who could see the possibility of their pet project going up in smoke. If I were in Bum's position, I might be thinking along these lines:
"It's all going tits up. They've caught me daughter speeding, they're not signing their NIPs and clogging up the court system, and now they're blowing up speed cameras. What happens when one of the daft tossers blows up a Talivan with the operator inside? I must start talking tough."
Hence the word "terrorist." He's just trying to convince those who allow other people to make their minds up for them that he's right. However, it sounds like he's gone in at the deep end, and he might actually be frightened.
I am sure you will all join with me in wishing the Chief Constable well in his next job ...
because, if it does all start to go tits up, he won't stay in that one for very long.
Margaret Thatcher pinned her colours to the Poll Tax - and look what happened to her
Many posters around here are protesting against the present iniquitous system of dishing out FPNs rather than the police catching bad drivers. Old Brainstorm is one of the protagonists of the present system. He too will try to fight back - the same as any of us would who could see the possibility of their pet project going up in smoke. If I were in Bum's position, I might be thinking along these lines:
"It's all going tits up. They've caught me daughter speeding, they're not signing their NIPs and clogging up the court system, and now they're blowing up speed cameras. What happens when one of the daft tossers blows up a Talivan with the operator inside? I must start talking tough."
Hence the word "terrorist." He's just trying to convince those who allow other people to make their minds up for them that he's right. However, it sounds like he's gone in at the deep end, and he might actually be frightened.
I am sure you will all join with me in wishing the Chief Constable well in his next job ...
because, if it does all start to go tits up, he won't stay in that one for very long. Margaret Thatcher pinned her colours to the Poll Tax - and look what happened to her
NOB! 
There that hit the spot.
LexSport said:(and rightly so - the man was going around blowing things up!)
ONE MANS "TERRORIST" IS ANOTHER MANS FREEDOM FIGHTER !
How very true. When was the last time you heard Nelson Mandella referred to as a terrorist? That was, afterall, what he was convicted for.
However I do respect him for what he did afterwards!
flat in fifth said:
How did we ever allow it happen.....
because we allowed ourselves to be put onto the slippery slope by listening to weasel words like "of course these things will be only used to catch people whe are really taking the pee" and similar....
Couldn't agree more.
All we have to do now is convince the 1 million or so motorists who meekly accept 60 quid and 3 points every year to make life difficult for the tax gatherers.
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