Criminal damage
A uniformed police officer has been caught on film using a pair of bolt cutters to try to remove a wheel clamp from an unmarked patrol car. The male officer sprung into action after clampers immobilised the vehicle - being used by a plainclothes female officer - and refused to remove the clamp.The WPC parked her car illegally near he Pheasant pub in Ashford, Kent, after being called out to investigate a 'minor crime'. But within minutes of parking her car, it was clamped by workers for Parking Control Services (PCS).
As moral dilemmas go, I think this is rather like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870...you want both teams to come second. Private car clamping is extortion by any other name but as this vehicle was “legally” clamped, the Police aren’t allowed to commit criminal damage just because it suits them. m’learned friends must be rubbing their money grasping claws in anticipation already.
Of course is everyone involved were to act like grownups, this could be sorted out very quickly. Might I suggest a bare breasted sledgehammer fight in the station car park – just like the original incident, perhaps the events could be posted on Youtube. Please remember dear readers that it is important that not only justice is done, but that it is seen to be being done
Comments
Interesting situation. Over Here, considering that the car in question was being used by an officer conducting a bona fide investigation, the Clamping C*nts could have been charged with obstructing a police investigation.
I see with despair that the Plod paid the fine when the CCs came to remove the clamp. What the Plod SHOULD have done was arrest the CCs as soon as they put in an appearance, and tossed them in the cells for 24 hours, while the obstruction charge was being "investigated".
Just to make the point that two can play at the game of rigorous rule observance.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | July 24, 2009 2:34 PM
Kim,
Apologies if I misread your intentions, but the car was unmarked; the clamper was just doing his/her job as far as they are aware.
If it were a marked car, then obviously the situation would have been different.
Still, both sides have gone the wrong way about this whole situation.
Posted by: Conrad | July 24, 2009 3:21 PM
Conrad, it doesn't matter that the car was unmarked. Once the cop's bona fides were established, the CC should have removed the clamp, and both sides should have got on with their lives. End of story.
Not long ago, the CCs clamped an ambulance because it was double-parked (while picking up a patient). They got away with it then, too.
One day, a CC is going to get assaulted and/or killed while performing in the manner above, and everyone is going to go oh boo hoo and blame our lawless society, when in fact it's because Britain has too MANY stupid laws, and too many bureaucratic jobsworths to enforce them.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | July 24, 2009 4:42 PM
"just doing his/her job as far as they are aware."
That's the key to being a Good German.
Posted by: Fred | July 24, 2009 6:30 PM
If you are going to buy a bolt cutter, get a large one.
Mine has yard long handles ... it's in my emergency kit as a gate opener.
Posted by: Kristopher | July 24, 2009 7:49 PM
Ah. Right. Sorry gents (and maybe ladies). I missed the piece of the article that says "- and refused to remove the clamp."
Apologies to all, my above remark is no longer considered valid.
Posted by: Conrad | July 24, 2009 9:56 PM
I read a good news report some years back, a CC clamped a car belonging to a local garage, they called for the support truck (with oxy aceteline kit) and liberated the car-ho-ho. My strategy when I lived there was to run a Citroen with hydraulic suspension and drop it to the ground when parked, that stopped them!
As is often the case Kim is right (could'nt you guys make him presodent or something?)
Posted by: chris Edwards | July 24, 2009 10:48 PM
What ever happened to Angle Grinder?
"Car-clamp hero extends campaign
A self-styled superhero who battles against wheel clampers has brought his saw-wielding campaign to the West Midlands."
Posted by: Duffman | July 25, 2009 2:28 AM
"The officer reported that he observed that the rear tail light on the PCS car was not working, so he pulled them over. (crack)He then noticed the the left rear window was shattered.(Smash) While checking for loose dangerous glass he noticed a plastic bag with a white substance on the back seat.
(toss). He immediately called for back up. The PCS officers were arrested and charged for possession, resisting arrest, driving an unsafe vehicle, and mopery with an attempt to gawk. They were given an educational tour of jail cells in the county for a period of 48 hours. There were complaints of repeated body cavity searches at each jail."
Posted by: toad | July 25, 2009 5:05 AM
Good on the copper!with any luck all cops in that area will now wage an unofficial war on CC's by cutting off their clamps on any car, anywhere.Teach the trash a lesson!
Posted by: J Morgan | July 28, 2009 8:50 PM