Comments by "leafy" (@leafy803) on "The Independent"
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Met police NEWS - 24 JULY 2023 11:47
Statement in response to video of fare evasion incident in Croydon
In recent days, a video filmed in Croydon during a police operation in support of Transport for London (TfL) ticket inspectors has been shared widely on social media.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist has released the following statement:
“It is clear from the video that has been shared online that this incident was distressing for the woman involved and particularly for her child. We understand why it has prompted significant public concern and we want to be transparent about our position and the role of our officers.
“Officers from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command were supporting TfL ticket inspectors on a pre-planned operation in Whitehorse Road, Croydon on Friday, 21 July. As buses pulled into the stop, TfL inspectors would check the tickets of those onboard and also those getting off.
“Anyone without a valid ticket is required to provide their details to a TfL inspector so a penalty fare can be issued. This is not a policing matter. Officers only become involved where details are not provided or where someone tries to leave when challenged.
“The woman involved in this incident was asked to provide her ticket as she got off the bus, but did not do so. She was spoken to by a TfL inspector, then by a PCSO and finally by a police officer. She continued to try to walk away and did not provide her ticket for inspection.
“She was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and was handcuffed. When officers were able to take her ticket from her so that the TfL inspectors could check it, they were able to confirm it was valid. She was immediately de-arrested and her handcuffs were removed.
“Throughout the incident, the child was comforted by a PCSO who immediately recognised his distress. Anyone seeing how upset he was would be moved by this, and we regret any impact it may have on him.
“We recognise that the use of handcuffs can be a cause of concern, particularly given the context of this incident and the type of offence involved, but when a person is trying to physically leave an incident it is an option officers can consider. All uses of force must be proportionate and necessary in the circumstances.
“Ticket inspection operations of this nature are difficult. They place police officers in direct confrontation with frustrated members of the public and could escalate what would otherwise be civil matters to a different level.
“This incident raises questions about the extent to which officers are having to intervene in this way when supporting TfL in their operations. We will now work with TfL to ensure that the balance is right between officers tackling the most serious crime on the transport network and supporting their own operations to ensure revenue protection.
“An initial review of the officers’ actions did not identify any conduct matters but we will reflect on it carefully, in discussion with communities locally, to urgently identify any opportunities to do things differently.
“Given the level of community concern generated we believe it is in the public interest to voluntarily refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review.”
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IOPC appeals for witnesses to Croydon fare evasion arrest incident
Published: 03 Aug 2023
News
We are appealing for witnesses as the investigation progresses into the arrest of a woman on suspicion of fare evasion in Croydon, south London.
We have established that the incident began at 11.12am on Friday 21 July on Whitehorse Road, after the woman and her child exited the 157 bus, which was travelling to Morden.
A number of Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers and community support officers (PCSOs) were waiting at the bus stop assisting TFL inspectors, who were conducting a revenue protection operation.
During the incident the woman was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and was handcuffed. The woman was de-arrested and the handcuffs were removed after it was confirmed she had paid the fare.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “We’re aware that the incident took place in public in front of several people, some of whom recorded the incident on their phones.
“We know that footage widely shared on social media does not show the full incident and we are working to piece together all of the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
“Therefore, it’s important that we speak with anyone who witnessed any part of this incident and that we gather all relevant footage that may assist our investigation.
“We also want to hear from any commuters who were on the 157 bus to Morden on Friday 21 July, when it stopped on Whitehorse Road shortly after 11.10am.”
Anyone who witnessed this incident, or has footage which may assist, is urged to contact us by emailing whitehorseroad@policeconduct.gov.uk or phoning 0300 303 5731 and leaving a message with your name and contact number.
Our investigation began following a complaint referral from the MPS on 24 July. The complaint, which was made by a family member on the woman’s behalf, alleged that she was racially profiled because she was Black and was verbally abused by an officer.
We have been in contact with the family member, at the woman’s request, to explain our role. They have specifically requested that people refrain from sharing videos of the incident on social media out of concern for the privacy of the woman and her young son.
Investigators have secured officers’ body worn footage, which is currently being reviewed, and CCTV footage from the bus. We have also been carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the immediate area to identify any potential witnesses and are making further CCTV enquiries.
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'Ukraine: Rape and torture by Russian forces continuing, rights experts report'
'Members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that they have documented attacks with explosive weapons on residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and medical institutions, as well as torture and sexual and gender-based violence.
Rape allegations
Commission Chair Erik Møse provided harrowing details on the findings to the Council, noting that in the Kherson region, “Russian soldiers raped and committed sexual violence against women of ages ranging from 19 to 83 years”, often together with threats or commission of other violations.
“Frequently, family members were kept in an adjacent room, thereby forced to hear the violations taking place,” Mr. Møse said.
‘Widespread’ torture
The Commission said that its investigations in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia indicate the “widespread and systematic” use of torture by Russian armed forces against persons accused of being informants of the Ukrainian military, which in some cases led to death.
Mr. Møse quoted a victim of torture as saying, “Every time I answered that I didn’t know or didn’t remember something, they gave me electric shocks… I don’t know how long it lasted. It felt like an eternity.”
Probe into child transfers a ‘priority’
The Commissioners also indicated that they have continued to investigate individual situations of alleged transfers of unaccompanied children by Russian authorities to the Russian Federation.
“This item remains very high on our priority list,” Mr. Møse assured the Council.
Possible ‘incitement to genocide’
The Commission expressed concern about allegations of genocide in Ukraine, warning that “some of the rhetoric transmitted in Russian state and other media may constitute incitement to genocide”
Mr. Møse said that the Commission was “continuing its investigations on such issues”.
Call for accountability
The UN-appointed independent rights investigators emphasized the need for accountability and expressed regret about the fact that all of their communications addressed to the Russian Federation “remain unanswered”.
In their report, the Commissioners also urged the Ukrainian authorities to “expeditiously and thoroughly” investigate the few cases of violations by its own forces.
No equivalence
Replying to questions from reporters in Geneva on Monday, the UN-appointed independent rights investigators strongly refuted any suggestions of an equivalence in the violations committed by both sides.
Mr. Møse stressed that on the Russian side, the Commission had found a “wide spectrum” and “large number of violations”. On the Ukrainian side, there were “a few examples” related to indiscriminate attacks as well as “ill-treatment of Russians in Ukrainian captivity”, he said.
More in-depth investigations
The latest update reflects the Commission’s ongoing investigations during its second mandate, which started in April this year.
Mr. Møse said that it was now undertaking “more in-depth investigations” regarding unlawful attacks with explosive weapons, attacks affecting civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and attacks on energy infrastructure.
“This may also clarify whether torture and attacks on energy infrastructure amount to crimes against humanity,” the Commissioners said.
The Commission
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was established by the Human Rights Council on 4 March 2022 to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by Russia.
Its three members are Chair Erik Møse, Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover. They are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
The mandate of the Commission of Inquiry was extended by the Council last April for a further period of one year. Its next report to the General Assembly is due in October.'
Source: UN
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@reallymakesyouthink According to the UN, Russia has attacked civilians:
'Ukraine: Rape and torture by Russian forces continuing, rights experts report'
'Members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that they have documented attacks with explosive weapons on residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and medical institutions, as well as torture and sexual and gender-based violence.
Rape allegations
Commission Chair Erik Møse provided harrowing details on the findings to the Council, noting that in the Kherson region, “Russian soldiers raped and committed sexual violence against women of ages ranging from 19 to 83 years”, often together with threats or commission of other violations.
“Frequently, family members were kept in an adjacent room, thereby forced to hear the violations taking place,” Mr. Møse said.
‘Widespread’ torture
The Commission said that its investigations in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia indicate the “widespread and systematic” use of torture by Russian armed forces against persons accused of being informants of the Ukrainian military, which in some cases led to death.
Mr. Møse quoted a victim of torture as saying, “Every time I answered that I didn’t know or didn’t remember something, they gave me electric shocks… I don’t know how long it lasted. It felt like an eternity.”
Probe into child transfers a ‘priority’
The Commissioners also indicated that they have continued to investigate individual situations of alleged transfers of unaccompanied children by Russian authorities to the Russian Federation.
“This item remains very high on our priority list,” Mr. Møse assured the Council.
Possible ‘incitement to genocide’
The Commission expressed concern about allegations of genocide in Ukraine, warning that “some of the rhetoric transmitted in Russian state and other media may constitute incitement to genocide”
Mr. Møse said that the Commission was “continuing its investigations on such issues”.
Call for accountability
The UN-appointed independent rights investigators emphasized the need for accountability and expressed regret about the fact that all of their communications addressed to the Russian Federation “remain unanswered”.
In their report, the Commissioners also urged the Ukrainian authorities to “expeditiously and thoroughly” investigate the few cases of violations by its own forces.
No equivalence
Replying to questions from reporters in Geneva on Monday, the UN-appointed independent rights investigators strongly refuted any suggestions of an equivalence in the violations committed by both sides.
Mr. Møse stressed that on the Russian side, the Commission had found a “wide spectrum” and “large number of violations”. On the Ukrainian side, there were “a few examples” related to indiscriminate attacks as well as “ill-treatment of Russians in Ukrainian captivity”, he said.
More in-depth investigations
The latest update reflects the Commission’s ongoing investigations during its second mandate, which started in April this year.
Mr. Møse said that it was now undertaking “more in-depth investigations” regarding unlawful attacks with explosive weapons, attacks affecting civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and attacks on energy infrastructure.
“This may also clarify whether torture and attacks on energy infrastructure amount to crimes against humanity,” the Commissioners said.
The Commission
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was established by the Human Rights Council on 4 March 2022 to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by Russia.
Its three members are Chair Erik Møse, Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover. They are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
The mandate of the Commission of Inquiry was extended by the Council last April for a further period of one year. Its next report to the General Assembly is due in October.'
Source: UN
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@Undedproduction My understanding is any hunt needs to be on private land with permission. Different incident, in middle of field where huntsman and horse injured the activist. Rider jailed for 18 months for 'inflicting grievous bodily harm':
'He had been with three other saboteurs going to monitor the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt'.
'Christopher Mardles, 27, from Petworth, West Sussex, a hunt member who rode his horse towards the protesters, was jailed for 18 months.'
'“Chris Marles recognised me – he called me by my name,” Mr Broughton recalls. “We were walking across a field and all of a sudden I turned and the horse hit me full-on.'
'Mel Broughton said he thought he was about to die under the horse... suffered six broken ribs, a split in his shoulder blade from top to bottom, three breaks in his collar bone and a tear in one lung' and 'still has eight screws and a metal plate holding his shoulder together'.'
“I couldn’t move. Two colleagues came over but I remember I saw Chris Marles and the hunt riders galloping off. Neither they nor the quad bikers looked back.”
"I was screaming out in pain and they just carried on hunting.”
'Paramedics had to give him morphine, and he was airlifted to hospital.'
...'hunting was supposedly banned in 2004, and all we see week in, week out is the tiny minority of people believe the law doesn’t apply to them and that somehow they have a right to carry on hunting, '
'The saboteurs said that as they were targeted, their three cameras were either smashed or taken from them.'
'Lead investigator DC Craig Copeland, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “I welcome the sentence handed out to Mardles today as his reckless actions that day could have had fatal consequences.'
'“The injuries he left this man with were extensive and he continues on his journey to recovery.”'
'“This was quite a unique case to investigate however I hope it goes to show that Northamptonshire Police are equipped to deal with all kinds of incidents and will ensure justice is served whatever the circumstances.”'
Articles:
'Man, 27, sentenced for incident with hunt protestor'
Source:Northants police news
'Animal activist nearly killed in hunt attack says horror injuries won’t stop him protesting'
Source: Independent
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@g.t.richardson6311 Warped sense of right or wrong is endangering human life out of arrogance, sense of entitlement. Was not his only option. He likely shows his lack of morals, human capacity for empathy of person he and horse collided with by once quickly slowed he doesn't ask if she is okay or dismount to say sorry or check on her. No, we see he rides far off to end of the field. I wouldn't be surprised if he hit someone with a vehicle he would drive off is isolated, rural. To avoid responsibility.
Similar incident rider, Christopher Mardles was sentenced 18 months jail. Yes activist is putting themselves at some risk, doesn't make what rider did right.
Rider jailed for 18 months for 'inflicting grievous bodily harm':
'He had been with three other saboteurs going to monitor the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt'.
'Christopher Mardles, 27, from Petworth, West Sussex, a hunt member who rode his horse towards the protesters, was jailed for 18 months.'
'“Chris Marles recognised me – he called me by my name,” Mr Broughton recalls. “We were walking across a field and all of a sudden I turned and the horse hit me full-on.'
'Mel Broughton said he thought he was about to die under the horse... suffered six broken ribs, a split in his shoulder blade from top to bottom, three breaks in his collar bone and a tear in one lung' and 'still has eight screws and a metal plate holding his shoulder together'.'
“I couldn’t move. Two colleagues came over but I remember I saw Chris Marles and the hunt riders galloping off. Neither they nor the quad bikers looked back.”
"I was screaming out in pain and they just carried on hunting.”
'Paramedics had to give him morphine, and he was airlifted to hospital.'
...'hunting was supposedly banned in 2004, and all we see week in, week out is the tiny minority of people believe the law doesn’t apply to them and that somehow they have a right to carry on hunting, '
'The saboteurs said that as they were targeted, their three cameras were either smashed or taken from them.'
'Lead investigator DC Craig Copeland, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “I welcome the sentence handed out to Mardles today as his reckless actions that day could have had fatal consequences.'
'“The injuries he left this man with were extensive and he continues on his journey to recovery.”'
'“This was quite a unique case to investigate however I hope it goes to show that Northamptonshire Police are equipped to deal with all kinds of incidents and will ensure justice is served whatever the circumstances.”'
Articles:
'Man, 27, sentenced for incident with hunt protestor'
Source:Northants police news
'Animal activist nearly killed in hunt attack says horror injuries won’t stop him protesting'
Source: Independent
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@imadeanaccounttocomment7800 Me using 'seems' is a supposition.. 'a belief held without proof or certain knowledge; an assumption or hypothesis.' that then is a transparent acknowledgement that it's not fact, as per me saying 'different to stating they have broken laws'
When I said positive and transparent contribution, this was to your earlier negativity to my earlier comments giving real life legal consequences to similar incident that I gave enough details, transparency for others to research, independently evaluate. Which I explained. That is a reasonable self evaluation. Your stretching to attempt to suggest otherwise.
Yes you were speaking of activists harassing but I considered your statement of 'stupidity and empathy are correlated'. A common opinion given on YouTube is do stupid things expect stupid prizes, which I evaluated, presumed from your comment that it was part of your general perspective, hence I said 'in general' but I wasn't sufficiently explanatory and should have asked. However only you honestly know if this is a general opinion you had, have.
I would add, you, I don't know if she or rider has or not a learning difficulty etc.. Or lacks physical co-ordination. We shouldn't scold someone if so. Police, crown prosecution, judge will be the ones to consider if appropriate.
I used hit and run as an example to not be so eager to consider the rider harmless in how potentially he or that other rider chose to leave without ensuring victim is okay. Activists 'stupidity' or act of non violent protesting, 'harrassment' doesn't absolve the riders, huntsman of that responsibility. Which was your questionable argument, belief.
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@richardmullens4707 No. 2022 was Ruth Perry's first Ofsted inspection at Caversham primary, '13 years' as head teacher there. Prior was in 2009 when Mrs Chris Tomkins was head teacher. According to Ofsted website. Also 3,000 schools have not been inspected for a decade or more:
2022 Rated Inadequate based on evaluation of child safeguarding procedures, knowledge and records.
'When will my school be inspected?'
12 June 2023 Goverment online guide
' A school judged outstanding or good will usually be inspected within the 4 academic years following its last inspection.
A school judged requires improvement or inadequate will usually be inspected within two and a half years.
However, the picture is currently a bit more complicated, for several reasons, including:
'...the government lifted the inspection exemption for outstanding schools; this added 3,000 schools to the schedule, many of which have not been inspected for a decade or more .'
Caversham school was one of those outstanding schools, not inspected since 2009. Even though it had a new head after that inspection 13 years ago.
Appeals:
'An inspection report, published on Ofsted’s website in March, said school leaders did not have the “required knowledge to keep pupils safe from harm”, did not take “prompt and proper actions” and had not ensured safeguarding was “effective”.
The inquest heard that the local authority and the school’s board of governors later decided not to challenge Ofsted’s rating of “inadequate”.'
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No! They robbed 54 homes. 7 had occupied. No one was physically harmed. You add frequency of homeowner guns and they then come with guns. Guns are fast, no need to be near. That means they will be fast, no need to be near and extra fearful themselves so more likely to harm occupants if home, especially unexpectedly. They would also have the advantage of gun in hand and knowledge of what they are doing.
'Detectives said the four men would ensure no-one was present at the targeted addresses before forcing their way inside. '
No burglar had knife or gun in 54 burglaries but yes axe, crow bar most likely to break doors, windows, as shown.
Here, they weren't expecting the woman, she screamed, they ran empty handed. If she took gun, fired or they thought she could have a gun they would be more likely to fire back in anger or defense.
Studies of the US show homeowners are not at a lower risk of fatalities if they gave a gun. Do some research.
Then you have the increase in fatalities for domestic abuse or children / adult accidentally firing the gun. More guns, more mass shootings, including schools.
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Burglary gang leader.. 'O’Halloran was previously given a four-year prison sentence in Limerick for threatening to kill a Garda detective and burn down his house. He had called the officer at Henry Street Garda Station to make the threats and warn him to “give up” pursuing his criminal gang.
He told the detective, “We won’t commit any more crimes if you back away from me and Aaron,” referring to his brother. However, he became aggressive when told that gardai would not back down.
Limerick Circuit heard O’Halloran then say: “I’m going to kill you, you b* with your big yellow house, and I’m going to burn it to the ground. “Don’t come to my house in the middle of the night.”
O’Halloran also threatened to “finish” him, saying: “Go get your V6 Mondeo, I’ll ram you off the road at 160mph.”
O’Halloran, who was on bail at the time, had 76 previous convictions when he made the threats.
He was found guilty by a jury and later lost an appeal against his conviction.
The incident occurred after gardai searched O’Halloran’s home in search of his brother Aaron, who was on the run from gardai after being involved in a high-speed chase.
Aaron O’Halloran was found hiding under insulation in the attic and was later jailed for reckless endangerment and assaulting a garda.
After a verdict was rendered, he shouted at the judge: “Damn it, what’s your problem?” What’s wrong with you? You feel bad in the head.”
Darren O’Halloran and his co-accused also showed a show of defiance last week by turning their backs on the judge at Birmingham Crown Court and walking out of the dock as they were sentenced.'
Sentencing for the recent burglaries..
'MacDonaugh has multiple criminal convictions, including burglaries, robberies and handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
O’Halloran was sentenced to 12 years in prison, Casey to 10 years and six months and Harty to 12 years.'
'Detectives said the four men would ensure no-one was present at the targeted addresses before forcing their way inside. '
Of the 54 properties, 7 were occupied.
Newsbeezer / Extra ie
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@silver4831 Her Gp said she had no mental health issues prior for 30 yr, her husband said it wasn't until the Ofsted inspection, colleagues said they had never seen her as upset. I would understand the extreme stress, upset at a school being rated at failing based on child safeguarding procedures, knowledge, reports (no known child harmed to my knowledge, her opinion/knowledge). It's different to your a poor teacher or manager, more upsetting, important. Think she felt helpless to what was going to happen, her job, local criticism and for everyone.
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@WeirdNeville I was partially discussing shared pavements, towpaths theses are different to on road. Pedestrians can, have been killed by blind corner and cyclist on the pavement, hit and run.
Yes cyclist, pedestrian fatalities by vehicle priority but that doesn't eliminate the reasoning for speed limits on shared pavements, towpaths. Increasing numbers of cyclists, shared paths will lead to more fatalities, it's logic.
I've nearly been knocked into the canal by cyclist, personally my illness then would prevent me from being able to lift myself out of the canal. She didn't stop, just rode on blamed me with snarky comment when she did not use bell/signal or slow down. Going at considerable speed in noisy environment.
Roads, my points are valid. No reason to travel faster than speed limit, only increases risks for all. It's selfishness. I was negative towards vehicle and bicycle speeding. Every death is important, sad.
No hate to cycling, intend to get back to it myself.
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@richardmullens4707 No. 2022 was Ruth Perry's first Ofsted inspection at Caversham primary, '13 years' as head teacher there. Prior was in 2009 when Mrs Chris Tomkins was head teacher. According to Ofsted website. Also 3,000 schools have not been inspected for a decade or more:
2022 Rated Inadequate based on evaluation of child safeguarding procedures, knowledge and records.
'When will my school be inspected?'
12 June 2023 Goverment online guide
' A school judged outstanding or good will usually be inspected within the 4 academic years following its last inspection.
A school judged requires improvement or inadequate will usually be inspected within two and a half years.
However, the picture is currently a bit more complicated, for several reasons, including:
'...the government lifted the inspection exemption for outstanding schools; this added 3,000 schools to the schedule, many of which have not been inspected for a decade or more .'
Caversham school was one of those outstanding schools, not inspected since 2009. Even though it had a new head after that inspection 13 years ago.
Appeals:
'An inspection report, published on Ofsted’s website in March, said school leaders did not have the “required knowledge to keep pupils safe from harm”, did not take “prompt and proper actions” and had not ensured safeguarding was “effective”.
The inquest heard that the local authority and the school’s board of governors later decided not to challenge Ofsted’s rating of “inadequate”.'
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