I'm not so sure Chris, I think the truth is somewhere inbetween and quite often comes down to individual police forces and or officers.
For example at whatever tiny train station we waited at in transit between Hartlepool and Darlington last week there were twice as many police as supporters (we numbered about 20) why? It was hardly a prime location for disorder/looting or whatever crimes they were presumably there to prevent. Totally unnecessary and heavy handed. After Bristol Rovers a couple of years ago I (and hundreds of others) were held back for ages after the match (I missed my train and had to pay a fortune to get another) and every single officer I spoke to was rude, unhelpful and agressive. I took this up with Avon and Somerset and got a full apology from a senior officer. In London (and I appreciate I'm tempting fate here seeing as I'm off to Hamilton Hall tomorrow) the police are more relaxed (trips to the Den aside) and less insistent on herding you around forcing you to go in escorts etc. And of course I take your point about blaming the idiots who caused all the over-zealous policing in the first place. But seeing as I've never hit anyone at a football match in my life, I find it hard been treated like someone who has a lot of the time. Just my thoughts for what it's worth. Cheers Mike On 12 February 2010 13:23, Chris Briggs <[email protected]> wrote: > Wow, that all seems a little blinkered and paranoid. > > It seems a little unfair to blame the CPS for doing their job to the best of > their ability with the tools (charging mechanisms, evidence presented and > the Law) available to them. > If they wish to have a go at someone have a go at the law makers, ie, the > politicians, they are to ones that brought in the supplementary banning > orders, etc. OR if they wish to blame the correct people for the legislation > surrounding attending football matches, etc, blame the fucking idiots whose > behaviour brought about the change in the first place. > _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist www.leedslist.net
