The Law is a Farce

kc13661 · 29th March 2016, 17:55

Our residential area is generally good, however we do have an issue with youths riding off road motorcycles on local fields, and known to access these fields via public roads. Now the Police turn up the cycles scatter and the Police say they can't give chase for Health and Safety

So today as my wife is driving in, we get one of the cycles in front of us with no lights, registration, no protective helmets or clothing and on a public highway, so quick thinking I video the incident on my phone. Eventually as the youths realise they are been filmed they flee... upon my return home I report the incident to the Police who arrive at my house 2 hours later, and to their surprise, I present them with evidence in the form of video and an excellent still photo of the rider and pillion looking direct into the lens.

Now the farce bit.... The Police will do their best to trace the youths, and issue a warning on them or the bike, not to use it.... a second warning could result in Police action !

Now correct me if I am wrong, but if you or I drove our car down the road without insurance, we would be subject to the wrath of the law, we would face a fine, penalty points and our vehicle would be impounded.... so what makes us different to them?

SD1too · 29th March 2016, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc13661

.... so what makes us different to them?

We're easier pickings.

You did the right thing though Keith, offering the video evidence. The more of this you can collect, the greater your chances of getting a more enthusiastic response. Remember The Dead Parrot sketch: "To get anything done in this country you have to complain until you're blue in the mouth".

Simon

first-things-first · 29th March 2016, 18:21

We're easy targets. Have money, pay our taxes. Everything registered to us at our fixed abode. Make a mistake and we pay up. Simples.

Quad bikes around here are becoming such a menace. No number plates, driving at stupid speeds. Never seen one pulled over or stopped. Probably because stinging it would hurt the poor blighters.

pernix · 29th March 2016, 18:23

Now correct me if I am wrong, but if you or I drove our car down the road without insurance, we would be subject to the wrath of the law, we would face a fine, penalty points and our vehicle would be impounded.... so what makes us different to them?[/QUOTE]

because you are there and in front of them and they don't have to spend time and effort looking for you

macafee2 · 29th March 2016, 18:27

generally the police will have stopped us, in this case the motorbikes have not been seen or stopped by the police.

macafee2

RPWC · 29th March 2016, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc13661

Now correct me if I am wrong, but if you or I drove our car down the road without insurance, we would be subject to the wrath of the law, we would face a fine, penalty points and our vehicle would be impounded.... so what makes us different to them?

Totally agree with you there, easily traceable via reg number. Makes you wonder why you bother Keith,we are plagued by speeders on our road which is 30 mph,and nobody adheres to it.
100 yards up the road is a 60 zone,they come off the dual carriageway into the 60 zone,and don't slow at all for the 30 zone. At the other end of the road is a roundabout,and they see our road as an accelerating lane to get to the 60 zone.
I have contacted the Police time and again about it,the best I got was " ask all your neighbours to sign a petition calling for action and we'll see what we can do"

They sent a PCSO down with a speed indicator that sits on top the car, pulled a few over and told them they were going to get a warning letter, pathetic,why bother? Yet the wife got caught at 34 in a 30 zone and had to do a speed awareness course. These idiots on my street are doing 50/60 plus.

I have flagged down several traffic cars in the area,and told them,they said they cant just come down with a radar,without being told by higher authority.
I even told them if they parked the Police vehicle in one of the side streets opposite,they had my permission to stand behind my tall hedge, obscuring them from full view, and catch the speeders as they came down.
Still nothing done.

kc13661 · 29th March 2016, 18:51

Why Bother

Probably because i enjoy my time off work, I enjoy a peaceful relaxing down time, I do not want to listen to these morons, I do not want to see our environment wrecked by mindless youths, I do not want to see an innocent child been mowed down by these idiots.... that's why I bother, the day people stop bothering about what happens in their areas is when these people succeed

I can at least say I have made the effort to do my bit, I have also sent my concerns to Northumbria Police Inspector for my area, and also to the anti social behaviour unit in my local council.

ashleywood.ash · 29th March 2016, 18:53

I can tell you first hand on this.

They can do more than just give them a warning, but chances are they don't really know what they can do. There are 2 main issues to this situation:

1- chances are, no matter how clear the photo is the police officers will not know the youths. Reason being due to being so strapped of staff with such massive workloads police no longer get into the community and find out who the bad uns are. They simple go from job to job to job trying to stay afloat.

2- the police that came to you will have been standard response bobbies. Standard response bobbies, 90% of them, hate traffic and know very little about traffic laws. There are literally hundreds of laws and it's impossible to know about them all. As such most will generally avoid traffic, add that to the fact they do t have time to deal with motoring offences due to all other stuff and therefore they forget even more.
There is the odd traffic crazed Bobby but chances are if you are being done for a traffic offence it will be by a traffic officer, of which there are now even less of.

Just the sad way of the world now I'm afraid. Thanks Dave !

Just to let you know, the police were referring to a section 59 warning under section 59 of the road traffic act. 2 warnings and they take your vehicle. This is mainly used for nuisance motorists causing ASB.

Remember though officers are human and therefore each one may do something different as there are often numerous different laws that can apply to each situation.

Keep reporting though ��

Just to clarify, it is impossible to trace details on a vehicle without a registration such as this bike. It relies on police recognising the rider, refer to earlier point.

freck · 29th March 2016, 18:53

You can understand why the police are reluctant to do anything when they'll know what will happen. They'll spend hours on paperwork then end up issuing a caution because the CPS won't think it's worth a prosecution.

The caution will end up being ignored, just because that's the sort of people you're dealing with, and they'll carry on doing it.

And so the circle continues.....

Like others have said, we motorists get prosecuted because we are a soft target and will just pay up. Not fair but that's just life for us.

Well done for trying though Keith, it's what we all need to do more of and it may help eventually.

RPWC · 29th March 2016, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc13661

Why Bother

Probably because i enjoy my time off work, I enjoy a peaceful relaxing down time, I do not want to listen to these morons, I do not want to see our environment wrecked by mindless youths, I do not want to see an innocent child been mowed down by these idiots.... that's why I bother, the day people stop bothering about what happens in their areas is when these people succeed

I can at least say I have made the effort to do my bit, I have also sent my concerns to Northumbria Police Inspector for my area, and also to the anti social behaviour unit in my local council.

I wasn't referring to you when I said "why bother" Keith, I was meaning the Police themselves, the action they took was so pathetic, I was saying "why bother" ,as in why did they bother with such a pathetic effort that will do no good whatsoever,they may as well not do anything. Like you I am concerned ,my kids have to walk along this road every day from school, thankfully they don't have to cross it,but it will probably take a child or elderly neighbour to get hit before any action is taken.

29th March 2016, 17:55	#1
kc13661 I really should get out more....... Freelander Td4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gateshead Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 704 Thanked 909 Times in 419 Posts	The Law is a Farce Our residential area is generally good, however we do have an issue with youths riding off road motorcycles on local fields, and known to access these fields via public roads. Now the Police turn up the cycles scatter and the Police say they can't give chase for Health and Safety So today as my wife is driving in, we get one of the cycles in front of us with no lights, registration, no protective helmets or clothing and on a public highway, so quick thinking I video the incident on my phone. Eventually as the youths realise they are been filmed they flee... upon my return home I report the incident to the Police who arrive at my house 2 hours later, and to their surprise, I present them with evidence in the form of video and an excellent still photo of the rider and pillion looking direct into the lens. Now the farce bit.... The Police will do their best to trace the youths, and issue a warning on them or the bike, not to use it.... a second warning could result in Police action ! Now correct me if I am wrong, but if you or I drove our car down the road without insurance, we would be subject to the wrath of the law, we would face a fine, penalty points and our vehicle would be impounded.... so what makes us different to them? __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is compulsory.... Growing up is Optional

29th March 2016, 18:51	#7
kc13661 I really should get out more....... Freelander Td4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gateshead Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 704 Thanked 909 Times in 419 Posts	Why Bother Probably because i enjoy my time off work, I enjoy a peaceful relaxing down time, I do not want to listen to these morons, I do not want to see our environment wrecked by mindless youths, I do not want to see an innocent child been mowed down by these idiots.... that's why I bother, the day people stop bothering about what happens in their areas is when these people succeed I can at least say I have made the effort to do my bit, I have also sent my concerns to Northumbria Police Inspector for my area, and also to the anti social behaviour unit in my local council. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is compulsory.... Growing up is Optional

29th March 2016, 18:53	#9
freck Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Connie Tourer Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Preston Posts: 1,051 Thanks: 142 Thanked 274 Times in 226 Posts	You can understand why the police are reluctant to do anything when they'll know what will happen. They'll spend hours on paperwork then end up issuing a caution because the CPS won't think it's worth a prosecution. The caution will end up being ignored, just because that's the sort of people you're dealing with, and they'll carry on doing it. And so the circle continues..... Like others have said, we motorists get prosecuted because we are a soft target and will just pay up. Not fair but that's just life for us. Well done for trying though Keith, it's what we all need to do more of and it may help eventually. __________________ Steve Teamwork makes the dream work! Mods planned - Cruise retrofit - Done, ZT front bumper - Done, 160 remap - Done...and probably one or two more This vehicle was the 15,751st 75 Tourer to run off the production line, out of 27,407 This vehicle was the 3,726th 75 Tourer CDT Connoisseur to be made out of 4,100 This vehicle was the 732nd 75 Tourer in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 4,100 Starlight Silver 75 Tourers Last edited by freck; 29th March 2016 at 18:56..

29th March 2016, 18:21	#3
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	We're easy targets. Have money, pay our taxes. Everything registered to us at our fixed abode. Make a mistake and we pay up. Simples. Quad bikes around here are becoming such a menace. No number plates, driving at stupid speeds. Never seen one pulled over or stopped. Probably because stinging it would hurt the poor blighters.

29th March 2016, 18:23	#4
pernix Avid contributor rover 75 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Caerphilly Posts: 223 Thanks: 1 Thanked 29 Times in 26 Posts	Now correct me if I am wrong, but if you or I drove our car down the road without insurance, we would be subject to the wrath of the law, we would face a fine, penalty points and our vehicle would be impounded.... so what makes us different to them?[/QUOTE] because you are there and in front of them and they don't have to spend time and effort looking for you

29th March 2016, 18:27	#5
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,926 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	generally the police will have stopped us, in this case the motorbikes have not been seen or stopped by the police. macafee2

29th March 2016, 18:53	#8
ashleywood.ash Loves to post ZT-T Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sheffield Posts: 475 Thanks: 0 Thanked 36 Times in 23 Posts	I can tell you first hand on this. They can do more than just give them a warning, but chances are they don't really know what they can do. There are 2 main issues to this situation: 1- chances are, no matter how clear the photo is the police officers will not know the youths. Reason being due to being so strapped of staff with such massive workloads police no longer get into the community and find out who the bad uns are. They simple go from job to job to job trying to stay afloat. 2- the police that came to you will have been standard response bobbies. Standard response bobbies, 90% of them, hate traffic and know very little about traffic laws. There are literally hundreds of laws and it's impossible to know about them all. As such most will generally avoid traffic, add that to the fact they do t have time to deal with motoring offences due to all other stuff and therefore they forget even more. There is the odd traffic crazed Bobby but chances are if you are being done for a traffic offence it will be by a traffic officer, of which there are now even less of. Just the sad way of the world now I'm afraid. Thanks Dave ! Just to let you know, the police were referring to a section 59 warning under section 59 of the road traffic act. 2 warnings and they take your vehicle. This is mainly used for nuisance motorists causing ASB. Remember though officers are human and therefore each one may do something different as there are often numerous different laws that can apply to each situation. Keep reporting though �� Just to clarify, it is impossible to trace details on a vehicle without a registration such as this bike. It relies on police recognising the rider, refer to earlier point.