Nudie on the Plinth

I wrote previously on the Fourth Plinth in London, since that post there have been many odd, funny, political and nude people stand on it. All of which have been met without complaint, until now, when a man stood naked upon it:

Mr Williams-Thomas, a former Surrey Police detective constable, said his three children, aged between eight and 13 years old, were "very shocked and embarrassed" by Mr Holwell's nudity.

"I fully expected that the surrounding police or organisers would stop this man. To my total surprise they stood by and did nothing."

He added: "This was a public place and therefore I should be able to take my children without the fear of them having a man naked exposing himself."

I would strongly advise against going to Florence then, as there's a 17 feet high nude man, that's a lot of nudity, the "family" might get really embarrassed. Also cover their eyes in Piccadilly Circus there's a naked cupid, oh and don't even think about going to the Tate Modern. I've been, there's a whole floor dedicated to the nude.

For every 1,000 cameras in London ...

Banksy

An internal report released by the Metropolitan Police under Freedom of Information laws disclosed that: "For every 1,000 cameras in London, less than one crime is solved per year." Well I'm so glad that the man who dropped litter is now rotting in jail with no chance of release, it makes the fact the UK is the one of the most monitored countries in the world worthwhile.

I truly don't understand why the government and police can't be targeted in using CCTV, it's becoming like a police replacement system. There have been many reports now that say having CCTV in car parks reduced theft and attacks on people, it also clearly makes sense to have CCTV outside and inside tube stations. So why not put the resources where they would prevent or be of use, rather than being so ridiculously indiscriminate. CCTV can not nor should it, replace a police officer on the street.

Police Raid 'Rave'

This is just incredible, four police cars, a riot van and a police helicopter were sent to shut down an "illegal rave". If of course you consider a rave; 15 people legally in private field, toasting a 30th birthday, while eating burgers and not playing music, all at the late hour of 4 o'clock. How did the police know about this "rave", it was posted on Facebook as an "all-night" party. Or advertised on the internet as a "rave" as the police maintain, a police spokesperson said:

Had it gone ahead, it is likely that far more of our resources would have been used to police the event and there would have been considerable disruption to neighbouring properties.

Indeed a proportional response. Never mind the fact they pre emptive decided that the "ravers" were guilty and it was illegal. Call me old fashioned but no one had complained, you presume that they had no consideration for others and it was 4 pm, if you're going to act, shouldn't it be a response to something illegal.

Is There Such a Thing as a Peaceful Protest?

I was reading an article on the G20 police tactics, one of the commentators said - There is no such thing as a peaceful protest any more - I was about to just dismiss the statement having attended some, yet they are becoming more direct and volatile, why? There are obliviously two sides to this directness from the police and the protester.

Some demonstrators have become more direct because they are not being listened to, some have always been more direct, others which accounts for the majority just want a voice. People do not take to the streets without a message or criticism, ignoring it leads people to raise their voice to be heard, as you leave them little choice to do otherwise.

The police directness has largely stemmed from being armed with anti terror legislation which is too broadly defined, thus it often includes and criminalises the public: police photographers take pictures of the crowd, people are arrested under anti terror laws rather than public disorder, activist groups have police informers now and all this information is then stored on databases. Which just insights distrust and a mass of people can turn aggressive very quickly if they feel threaten.

Trust on both sides has eroded to the point that you're just waiting for something to happen, like an "us and them" mentality. There is no clear line now between right and wrong, terrorist laws have made it so subjective, it's become a trump card for everything. A balance need to be restored for trust to build upon, as it's become like the only people who are subject to law are the public.

The report out today says police tactics need a national overhaul, I would say mentality needs the overhaul. Protests would be less volatile if laws that put too much power in the hands of the police, without the accountability needed were addressed. No one is guarding the guards.

Met Police Accused of Waterboarding

Six Metropolitan Police officers have been suspended over allegations of subjecting suspects to "waterboarding" – the CIA interrogation technique that simulates the experience of drowning – during a drugs raid in north London last November. (read article)

What the hell? I don't know who to be more worried about any more. What are the Met doing just letting any nut in, only psychopaths need apply, thank god they don't carry guns.

Think I'd prefer to take a risk with a knife wielding hoodie, over the Met police these days.

Protester Surveillance Database Illegal

Thank goodness for a little Liberty, in both sense of the word. The human rights group Liberty took the Met police to court for taking photos of protesters, activist, campaigners, to store on yet another database. Lord ­Justice Dyson said there were:

very serious human rights issues which arise when the state obtains and retains the images of persons who have committed no offence and are not suspected of having ­committed any offence.

I would say take note Jacqui Smith and her Met, but she'll no doubt find a way around it. Perhaps a helpful guide above might make clear the different between a "terrorist" and "protester". As she doesn't really seem that clear, I guess it all looks the same way up in that ivory tower of hers.

Jacqui Smith Says Britons Should Be Grateful

Jacqui Smith criticised the "current vogue for police bashing'' in a speech at the Police Federation conference. That's an interesting choice of words "vogue for police bashing", is it vogue to strike a citizen, I hope not.

We all saw the pictures on the television. But what we didn't see was all the hard work that went in, behind the scenes, to mounting such a large-scale and intensive police operation

Yes preparations that involved talking up the danger the protesters presented, warning pregnant women not to venture into the City, telling bankers to dress down and generally demonising protesters. Going on to an operation that lend police hiding identity numbers, covering their faces, trying to remove the press, allegedly getting undercover police officers to provoke protesters into violence, finishing up being heavy handed, beating a woman and killing someone. All of which they attempted to cover up.

She goes on to say:

We are lucky in this country for the way in which protest is facilitated and the police play a very important role in that.

Yes we're lucky Jacqui Smith hasn't outlawed it yet. This isn't a few bad apples, this a general mentality in the police force at large, they have far too much power and not enough accountablty. Yet we should be grateful?

Scotland Yard's 'Black Museum'

Scotland Yard’s unofficially named "Black Museum" has items from some of the most gruesome and infamous crimes of London. The displays were created for educational purposes and only police officers have been granted access, until possibly now. Boris Johnson is backing a plan for a "Blue Light Museum" to celebrate the capital’s emergency services.

I know there's an argument of it being disrespectful to the victims. Yet a lot of these crimes and killers are so much apart of our poplar culture now, that I would be fascinated to visit the museum. It's macabre, but it's a side of people that we will never be exposed to otherwise. Well I hope not.

Easter "Bombers" Released

Budget day is a good day to hide this among the headlines, nine of the twelve men arrested in a "very big" anti-terror operation, will be deported and not changed. There is something really odd about that whole operation, the fact the case is going to be reviewed just enforces this.

Looking at the operation time line raises both eyebrows:

• Bob Quick shows off his secret documents to photographers, this brings forward operation "pathway" according to Jacqui Smith just a matter hours.

• Police launch raids across 14 properties in Northwest England, Brown states "We are dealing with a very big terrorist plot. We have been following it for some time."

• One of the men they arrest is freed straight away, suggesting he was wrongly arrested.
  

• It's reported that plot was a suspected Al-Qaeda bomb factory, planning attacks in Manchester.
  

• They don't find any evidence.

• Three days later they call in a bomb Squad to search the houses.

• All goes quiet for a few days.
  

• Then it's reported they will be released without charge and deported.
  

Though I'm sure everyone would agree using reliable intelligence pre-emptively, is far better than waiting until a terrorist has their finger the detonator. Yet can the word "intelligence" be used in any capacity with regard to this investigation. Turning it into a blaze of publicity, that verges on a witch hunt, just shows why policing and politics shouldn't mix.

Ian Tomlinson's Death Internal Bleeding

The second post-mortem examination by Dr Cary, concluded that Ian Tomlinson died of abdominal haemorrhage, this over turns the previous verdict of a "heart attack" and "natural causes". A statement from the City of London coroners court said:

Dr Cary's opinion is that the cause of death was abdominal haemorrhage. The cause of the haemorrhage remains to be ascertained. Dr Cary accepts that there is evidence of coronary atherosclerosis but states that in his opinion its nature and extent is unlikely to have contributed to the cause of death.

The police officer that attacked Mr Tomlinson has been interviewed under caution on suspicion of manslaughter.

I hope Sir Paul Stephenson unlike his predecessor, actually uses this as an opportunely to make the clearly necessary changes to the Met. The death of any innocent person at the hands of our police should never be treated with such disgrace, and certainly not covered up.

The answers and information we get over the next couple of weeks, will show whether the Met has another Ian Blair running it. I hope not, yet it's already not looking good.

Terrorists or Protesters?

114 environmental activists were arrested and charged with "conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass and criminal damage." Police officers raided a school where they were meeting, seizing "specialist equipment". After the protesters were placed in custody, the police went to their homes to seize computer equipment and mobile phone records.

I don't personally support direct criminal action, yet since these protesters were 'pre-emptively arrested', I don't know what form their protest would have taken. The police do have a duty to act when they think lives are threatened, I don't dispute that. I do question however, whether they know the different between a terrorist and protester.

They used intelligence gathering from informants and/or email spying to send, 200 police officers from 3 forces storming into a school, to arrest a group of protesters. Who at their worst, were gong to chain themselves to conveyor belts, do a sit down protest within the grounds or do nothing.

Over the top and heavy-handed springs to mind, which hardly fills anyone with confidence in light of recent events. Yet a sense of uneasy fills me to, as the question of what has triggered this crack down hangs in the air. I do wonder if this plays a part in an answer.

New Video Of When Police Attack 2

The policeman without his numbers on display is the second officer to be suspended from the Territorial Support Group which prides itself on:

TSG officers are selected on merit, and much emphasis is placed upon their personal ability, motivation and good communication skills.

Indeed he has much to be proud of, well trained, calm under presser, didn't provoke the crowd, communicated well and a woman beater. Just what we expect from our police service.

Protesters and Police At The G20

I realise there is an argument to say we place high standards on our police, yet it's common sense that if you can't keep a clear head or your temper in check, then you shouldn't be on the front line, incitement is a two way street. There are several videos circling the web of peaceful demonstrators being harassed by the police, and of course the video of Ian Tomlinson. I'm not including the protesters who were obliviously provoking the police and causing damage, as I haven't seen anything yet to show police overreacted to them. Though I can't say the same for the people who were demonstrating peacefully.

The police officer that attacked Mr Tomlinson went out of his way to do it, he wasn't standing behind and gave him a little shove to get him walking quicker, he moved in from the right to attack a man that posed no threat. His actions are completely disgraceful, I'm not a doctor so don't presume to know whether a heart attack can happen from such an act. If it can the officer should face a criminal investigation.

It's the right of police to use reasonable force to protect the public and themselves, but they have to balance that against their responsibility to allow peaceful protest to take place. A lot of the videos I've seen certainly pose the question of if they've got the balance right in general.

That's what concerns me about this, people will no doubt be put off protesting and democracy isn't just about turning up to vote every 4 years. Protesting equals saying this is wrong or I object. Whether it's on the street or web doesn't matter, because the alternative is we get the laws and the government we deserve from our silence.

Operation G20 Protocol

The Times is reporting that the police have handed out leaflets informing employees about the protocols of 'operation protect the city', one I particularly like.

“Smokers: when they pop out for a cigarette they weaken your defences. Change the rules for one day!”

This is becoming more entertaining than the summit!