GMP search protesters outside BBC in Manchester under S.60, Public Order Act

GMP officers apprehend and search small group of protesters outside BBC in Manchester under Section 60 of Riot Act

3.30pm, Friday 12th August, Oxford Road, Manchester.

Apparently David Cameron was at the BBC, and the protesters were asking for an audience with him. This led to the search.

This took place just across the road from the Maplin store that was looted on Tuesday 9th August. Considerably more police in attendance and taking action against these protesters than against the looters.

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[onetruefowler]

Tried posting a link to this video in a Manchester Evening News comments section relating to an article about GMP officers preventing drivers with previous convictions (of any kind!) from entering the city, on the basis that this is a further example of a rapidly encroaching police state.

Needless to say, it hasn't got past the moderators. Censorship in action.

[onetruefowler]

apols, my bad - long day at work. there is of course no Riot Act.

[fredriley1]

The link to the vid did eventually appear on the MEN site - that's where I got it from, via a link to the MEN story in the No2ID newsletter.

[fredriley1]

The cops have form on this, going back to the '84 Miners Strike when pickets were illegally intercepted on motorways and turned back under threat of arrest. The only difference with now is that the cops can do this legally.

[fredriley1]

Thanks for the post. This is disturbing but, sadly, not surprising. England is moving towards a police state, if it's not already arrived, and any challenge, however benign, to the ruling order is likely to be harassed by the police. That the police spend so much manpower on political protest at the expense of 'real policiing' of crime and criminals shows where the primary priority of the police force lies: in protecting the ruling elites and the State.

[Danster82]

@soup0dragon This is something that people need to understand about perceived authority, facts are on the moon, they will claim whatever they feel like claiming and if you accept, then it is so. Therefore a good tip whenever dealing with police is to consider EVERYTHING as a claim to later be verified, do they have evidence of alleged contract they are enforcing?

[soup0dragon]

We were actually searched under Section 60 of the Public Order Act. Which forbids them from taking details if we don't consent unless charged with an offence. Which we weren't. The officer talking to me told me that I would be arrested if I didn't give details - an outright lie. Another officer said we weren't doing anything illegal but given the current climate (ie. the riots) it would be sensible of us to give details, as doing otherwise would be illegal. Posting from my girlfriend's account.

[bradleykrantz]

thanks for posting this

[thelostpacket]

Hate to break it to them but hte Riot Act was REPEALED in 1973!