Can the police do this?
Discussion
A female friend of mine was stopped earlier on in Otterspool, Liverpool. She was picking family members up from an eating establishment. The police car was parked opposite the eating house and they watched as she drove into the carpark and watched as everyone got in the car then followed her and then stopped her. She was ordered out of the car and they said one of her rear lights wasn't working. So concerned that she might have knocked the wiring or something when she had the babies pram in earlier she went to open the boot but was told in a harsh manner to shut it. They then asked if she had been drinking, which she answered no, she was taxiing her family around and had her 1 y.o. grandson in the back.
One of the officers then told her to remove 2 bumper stickers that are on the car. She asked why and he said they weren't appropriate as people parking behind might have to explain what they meant to their kids. As they are well stuck on and have been on the car for over 2 years, without any complaints or pulls from the police, it wasn't possible to get them off.
She was then told to remove them when she got home and make sure they weren't on the car tomorrow!!
She was then told her she could go however, with no mention of failed lights or get that light fixed etc.
The stickers read 'I think you can suck it and still be a vegetarian'
and 'Bitch babe totally in control of the car'
As she drives a Saab 9000 I asked if the dash indication (for a failed bulb) was lit at anytime when her lights were on or when she was braking which she said no. This warning light on the dash comes on for front and back lights and operates even if one bulb has failed and Saab double up on lights at the rear so very unusual if one complete side is out without any warning on the dash...in fact its impossible.
She is fuming and wants to know whether she has to remove the stickers and I'm concerned that they made up a failed rear light story just to pull her over.
Can anyone clarify where she stands please, thanks
One of the officers then told her to remove 2 bumper stickers that are on the car. She asked why and he said they weren't appropriate as people parking behind might have to explain what they meant to their kids. As they are well stuck on and have been on the car for over 2 years, without any complaints or pulls from the police, it wasn't possible to get them off.
She was then told to remove them when she got home and make sure they weren't on the car tomorrow!!
She was then told her she could go however, with no mention of failed lights or get that light fixed etc.
The stickers read 'I think you can suck it and still be a vegetarian'
and 'Bitch babe totally in control of the car'
As she drives a Saab 9000 I asked if the dash indication (for a failed bulb) was lit at anytime when her lights were on or when she was braking which she said no. This warning light on the dash comes on for front and back lights and operates even if one bulb has failed and Saab double up on lights at the rear so very unusual if one complete side is out without any warning on the dash...in fact its impossible.
She is fuming and wants to know whether she has to remove the stickers and I'm concerned that they made up a failed rear light story just to pull her over.
Can anyone clarify where she stands please, thanks
1. They can pull her over if she is driving on a road! They have the right to stop and ask to see driving licence and other documents once stopped for the licence.
2. It is possible that a bulb could have been out. Maybe your friend is not as observant as she makes out
3. If the signs on her car are perceived as offensive, she commits an offence under section 5 public order Act 1986 (harassment alarm or distress).
4. Why would an adult want to have such an advert on stickers on a car anyway. They are not even remotely amusing!
In short, they can pull her over as they did. They can also give her a warning to remove the stickers if they are deemed to be offensive. If she fails to do so, that triggers a power of arrest. No person actually needs to be offended at that time. The Act states that the person can be a notional person, i.e. not there at the time but who may be offended by the words, visible representation or sign. I think my mother would possibly be offended by them!
2. It is possible that a bulb could have been out. Maybe your friend is not as observant as she makes out
3. If the signs on her car are perceived as offensive, she commits an offence under section 5 public order Act 1986 (harassment alarm or distress).
4. Why would an adult want to have such an advert on stickers on a car anyway. They are not even remotely amusing!
In short, they can pull her over as they did. They can also give her a warning to remove the stickers if they are deemed to be offensive. If she fails to do so, that triggers a power of arrest. No person actually needs to be offended at that time. The Act states that the person can be a notional person, i.e. not there at the time but who may be offended by the words, visible representation or sign. I think my mother would possibly be offended by them!
Edited by Mg6b on Friday 1st February 23:19
This is Liverpool right? So the Police are focussed of stopping someone for
mildly humerous car stickers which are less offensive then the sort of comments you get on TV every day. Meanwhile (Liverpool remember?) houses are being burgled, cars nicked, drugs traded, etc etc. And they wonder why respect for plod is in decline.
mildly humerous car stickers which are less offensive then the sort of comments you get on TV every day. Meanwhile (Liverpool remember?) houses are being burgled, cars nicked, drugs traded, etc etc. And they wonder why respect for plod is in decline.
Mg6b said:
3. If the signs on her car are perceived as offensive, she commits an offence under section 5 public order Act 1986 (harassment alarm or distress).
What a nasty fascist attack on the right to be offended!Your right to free speech depends on my right to be offended.
Mg6b said:
4. Why would an adult want to have such an advert on stickers on a car anyway. They are not even remotely amusing!
Dunno.I don't understand why an adult would want to have fish symbol on their boot lid; I find them far less amusing and far more offensive than the stickers mentioned by the OP...
Maybe I'll start reporting them for the distress they cause me.
If the police were rude or patronising, complain IN WRITING to the local head office.
Our public sector is riddled with political correctness and a whole mini investigation will be put into place.
I am not sure with the police themselves, but with the NHS and teaching for example, all complaints are held on file, and 3 within a set time can lead to demotion. At the very least you must explain very, very carefully why this is becoming a pattern.
So calm down, think it all through again, and if you honestly believe these police were bad mannered, take it further and above them.
Our public sector is riddled with political correctness and a whole mini investigation will be put into place.
I am not sure with the police themselves, but with the NHS and teaching for example, all complaints are held on file, and 3 within a set time can lead to demotion. At the very least you must explain very, very carefully why this is becoming a pattern.
So calm down, think it all through again, and if you honestly believe these police were bad mannered, take it further and above them.
Beyond Rational said:
Isn't the failed light story quite an easy one to prove? or am I missing something?
The word of one young lass with smart arse stickers on the car against a group of coppers?Wow, I respect your faith in justice!!!!
Besides, all they need say is ' well, it was not working when we stopped you, then it must have connected again. Never mind, we then decided it was in the public interest to ensure you were fit to drive and gave us no suspicion of not having correct papers and licenses '.
I am pretty sure this was the standard ploy back in the late 60s and 70s, as the police could not stop you at all back then without a solid reason.
fluffnik said:
I don't understand why an adult would want to have fish symbol on their boot lid; I find them far less amusing and far more offensive than the stickers mentioned by the OP...
Maybe I'll start reporting them for the distress they cause me.
Quite agree, I think people who advertising their fishing habits on the back of cars - should be an offence in it's own right - maybe we should promote some Political Correctness attitude since it's all the rage!Maybe I'll start reporting them for the distress they cause me.
Another example to include:
Baby on board stickers should be removed - as it could offend the infertile
Then there is the home to consider...I seem to remember you cannot have signs on your gates at home suggesting "Beware of the Dog" or something as it suggests you have a dangerous dog
Back to the having to explain statements to your kids. Who knows, one day maybe little person will ask "What's a Bike?" when they see a rear car sticker saying "My other car's a bike!" And the response will be...
Something we used for fun / exercise etc but you cannot have one as they are dangerous.
I think we covered this in an earlier topic.
It seems to me (and no offence to plod on here) that the police can pretty much do anything they want - there are enough options open to them, many with good reason, which can grant them various powers even if at a later point it transpires that their assumptions/suspicions were false.
Good for international terrorism, not sure whether it's good for joe public with his offensive bumper stickers and faulty lights ..
It seems to me (and no offence to plod on here) that the police can pretty much do anything they want - there are enough options open to them, many with good reason, which can grant them various powers even if at a later point it transpires that their assumptions/suspicions were false.
Good for international terrorism, not sure whether it's good for joe public with his offensive bumper stickers and faulty lights ..
Mark in Ireland said:
A female friend of mine was stopped earlier.
They asked if she had been drinking, which she answered no, she was taxiing her family around and had her 1 y.o. grandson in the back.
You may be amazed to know but people will still drive with their young children,family etc in the car whilst over the legal limit.They asked if she had been drinking, which she answered no, she was taxiing her family around and had her 1 y.o. grandson in the back.
Mg6b said:
1. They can pull her over if she is driving on a road! They have the right to stop and ask to see driving licence and other documents once stopped for the licence.
2. It is possible that a bulb could have been out. Maybe your friend is not as observant as she makes out
3. If the signs on her car are perceived as offensive, she commits an offence under section 5 public order Act 1986 (harassment alarm or distress).
4. Why would an adult want to have such an advert on stickers on a car anyway. They are not even remotely amusing!
In short, they can pull her over as they did. They can also give her a warning to remove the stickers if they are deemed to be offensive. If she fails to do so, that triggers a power of arrest. No person actually needs to be offended at that time. The Act states that the person can be a notional person, i.e. not there at the time but who may be offended by the words, visible representation or sign. I think my mother would possibly be offended by them!
I find "Mg6b" offensive - please change it! That's how idiotic the law is - Streaky2. It is possible that a bulb could have been out. Maybe your friend is not as observant as she makes out
3. If the signs on her car are perceived as offensive, she commits an offence under section 5 public order Act 1986 (harassment alarm or distress).
4. Why would an adult want to have such an advert on stickers on a car anyway. They are not even remotely amusing!
In short, they can pull her over as they did. They can also give her a warning to remove the stickers if they are deemed to be offensive. If she fails to do so, that triggers a power of arrest. No person actually needs to be offended at that time. The Act states that the person can be a notional person, i.e. not there at the time but who may be offended by the words, visible representation or sign. I think my mother would possibly be offended by them!
Edited by Mg6b on Friday 1st February 23:19
streaky said:
I find "Mg6b" offensive - please change it! That's how idiotic the law is - Streaky
You might have to explain in what way it is offensive to you before any action is taken for me to change the visible sign representation or words and in any case, I am entitled to a warning first 
Do you know what an Mg6b is
?They are offensive but unless you know in what context, then I doubt it would apply to you Streaky!
Edited by Mg6b on Saturday 2nd February 12:26
s2art said:
This is Liverpool right? So the Police are focussed of stopping someone for
mildly humerous car stickers which are less offensive then the sort of comments you get on TV every day. Meanwhile (Liverpool remember?) houses are being burgled, cars nicked, drugs traded, etc etc. And they wonder why respect for plod is in decline.
2008 City of Culture(!), see?mildly humerous car stickers which are less offensive then the sort of comments you get on TV every day. Meanwhile (Liverpool remember?) houses are being burgled, cars nicked, drugs traded, etc etc. And they wonder why respect for plod is in decline.
welsh blackbird said:
s2art said:
This is Liverpool right? So the Police are focussed of stopping someone for
mildly humerous car stickers which are less offensive then the sort of comments you get on TV every day. Meanwhile (Liverpool remember?) houses are being burgled, cars nicked, drugs traded, etc etc. And they wonder why respect for plod is in decline.
2008 City of Culture(!), see?mildly humerous car stickers which are less offensive then the sort of comments you get on TV every day. Meanwhile (Liverpool remember?) houses are being burgled, cars nicked, drugs traded, etc etc. And they wonder why respect for plod is in decline.
fluffnik said:
Mg6b said:
3. If the signs on her car are perceived as offensive, she commits an offence under section 5 public order Act 1986 (harassment alarm or distress).
What a nasty fascist attack on the right to be offended!Your right to free speech depends on my right to be offended.
Mg6b said:
4. Why would an adult want to have such an advert on stickers on a car anyway. They are not even remotely amusing!
Dunno.I don't understand why an adult would want to have fish symbol on their boot lid; I find them far less amusing and far more offensive than the stickers mentioned by the OP...
Maybe I'll start reporting them for the distress they cause me.
Especially this part........
I don't understand why an adult would want to have fish symbol on their boot lid; I find them far less amusing and far more offensive than the stickers mentioned by the OP...
Edited by qooqiiu on Saturday 2nd February 15:16
qooqiiu said:
fluffnik said:
Mg6b said:
3. If the signs on her car are perceived as offensive, she commits an offence under section 5 public order Act 1986 (harassment alarm or distress).
What a nasty fascist attack on the right to be offended!Your right to free speech depends on my right to be offended.
Mg6b said:
4. Why would an adult want to have such an advert on stickers on a car anyway. They are not even remotely amusing!
Dunno.I don't understand why an adult would want to have fish symbol on their boot lid; I find them far less amusing and far more offensive than the stickers mentioned by the OP...
Maybe I'll start reporting them for the distress they cause me.
Especially this part........
I don't understand why an adult would want to have fish symbol on their boot lid; I find them far less amusing and far more offensive than the stickers mentioned by the OP...
Edited by qooqiiu on Saturday 2nd February 15:16
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