On the subject of media ...
Telegraph & Scouts quoting Dave Budd
Scotsman & Scouts quoting Patrick McGlinchey
Daily Wail (I mena Mail!) & Scouts quoting Dave Budd
To me they all sound as though they're sitting on the fence with regard to what attitude to take to keep their sales up ... education is really needed, but how ???
On the subject of media ...
Telegraph & Scouts quoting Dave Budd
Scotsman & Scouts quoting Patrick McGlinchey
Daily Wail (I mena Mail!) & Scouts quoting Dave Budd
To me they all sound as though they're sitting on the fence with regard to what attitude to take to keep their sales up ... education is really needed, but how ???
Valid Point Swallow
BBH-Skip locks himself firmly back in his box
Mouse - I feel for you! For your situation to have escalated to the level it did/has is awful, as is the loss (theft as some have put) of your knife.
What it has done for me, is highlight the fact that not all out there are as knowledgable as others (including those in a position of power), and we need to be prepared on the off chance it is one of us in Mouse's unfortunate position. I'm not saying the card is a good or bad idea, but being aware of the contents of the legislation and how to act within it can only be a positive surely?
Echoing the majority, quoting it to a Contstable probably wouldnt work in your favour, in the same ilk as quoting the Highway code to a Traffic Copper - I think it would just get their backs up - and they'd find something else to collar you with.
My final thoughts are this though...
I think it has been fantastic to see everyone rally round. The offers of support and guidance have been ceasless, and with Mouse's best interest at heart.
Although only a newbie, I am hounoured to be part of such a great group of people, and proud to be one of your number!
Oooh, think I have just been sick in my own mouth!!! (but the sentiment still stands!!)
Mark
I get the general impression from this thread that folk are trying to interprete a law to suit their own point of view. The current knife laws in the UK clearly state that it is illegal to carry a fixed blade knife or a folding knife with a blade over 3" long without having a good reason for doing so. Now that good reason is for the intervening police officer(s) to decide, not the person who is carrying the knife. It is the luck of the draw whether or not the officer in question interpretes the knife law liberally or strictly, as the 'good reasons' for carrying a knife are limited & there is only a small leeway for maneuver which can be left to the discretion of the police officer. Had the OP come across a different policeman, particularly one that practiced outdoor activities, then the encounter may well have ended on a more positive note. If you feel you have been wronged then you can always have your day in court but then it would be up to a magistrate to decide & the outcome will be dependant on how he/she interpretes the law. The OP's solictor, who presumably has some knowledge of the knife law, didn't think that he would win in a court case, which indicates, does it not, that the officers in question, were acting within the law.
I rest my case m'ludd.
What point are you trying to make? If it had come to a prosecution the prosecuting solocitor would have to have come to a decision as to whether there was a reasonable chance of a success. Given the stated facts of the case many would see that outcome as unlikely. This is why we have law courts, arbitary "justice" should be resisted as it depends on the opinion of one of our servants, a constable, that opinion can and must be tested in the courts. We do ourselves no service by moderating our behaviour which is legal in the first place.I get the general impression from this thread that folk are trying to interprete a law to suit their own point of view. The current knife laws in the UK clearly state that it is illegal to carry a fixed blade knife or a folding knife with a blade over 3" long without having a good reason for doing so. Now that good reason is for the intervening police officer(s) to decide, not the person who is carrying the knife. It is the luck of the draw whether or not the officer in question interpretes the knife law liberally or strictly, as the 'good reasons' for carrying a knife are limited & there is only a small leeway for maneuver which can be left to the discretion of the police officer. Had the OP come across a different policeman, particularly one that practiced outdoor activities, then the encounter may well have ended on a more positive note. If you feel you have been wronged then you can always have your day in court but then it would be up to a magistrate to decide & the outcome will be dependant on how he/she interpretes the law. The OP's solictor, who presumably has some knowledge of the knife law, didn't think that he would win in a court case, which indicates, does it not, that the officers in question, were acting within the law.
I rest my case m'ludd.
I get the general impression from this thread that folk are trying to interprete a law to suit their own point of view. The current knife laws in the UK clearly state that it is illegal to carry a fixed blade knife or a folding knife with a blade over 3" long without having a good reason for doing so. Now that good reason is for the intervening police officer(s) to decide, not the person who is carrying the knife. It is the luck of the draw whether or not the officer in question interpretes the knife law liberally or strictly, as the 'good reasons' for carrying a knife are limited & there is only a small leeway for maneuver which can be left to the discretion of the police officer. Had the OP come across a different policeman, particularly one that practiced outdoor activities, then the encounter may well have ended on a more positive note. If you feel you have been wronged then you can always have your day in court but then it would be up to a magistrate to decide & the outcome will be dependant on how he/she interpretes the law. The OP's solictor, who presumably has some knowledge of the knife law, didn't think that he would win in a court case, which indicates, does it not, that the officers in question, were acting within the law.
I rest my case m'ludd.
Edit ....I'm not saying the card is a good or bad idea, but being aware of the contents of the legislation and how to act within it can only be a positive surely?
Echoing the majority, quoting it to a Contstable probably wouldnt work in your favour, in the same ilk as quoting the Highway code to a Traffic Copper - I think it would just get their backs up - and they'd find something else to collar you with.
My final thoughts are this though...
I think it has been fantastic to see everyone rally round. The offers of support and guidance have been ceasless, and with Mouse's best interest at heart.
Although only a newbie, I am hounoured to be part of such a great group of people, and proud to be one of your number!
Oooh, think I have just been sick in my own mouth!!! (but the sentiment still stands!!)
Mark
nowhere in the legal landscape should anyone have to worry about exactly what sort of officer they are dealing with. Officer A should give me the same response as officer B in regards to am I breaking a law or not.
I think you will find that dave said none of those things Elen.( wildly mis-quoted iirc. )
VERY upset he was over on BB when that came out.
I would check with Dave before posting if it were me.
Best.
Chris.
On the subject of media ...
Telegraph & Scouts quoting Dave Budd
Scotsman & Scouts quoting Patrick McGlinchey
Daily Wail (I mena Mail!) & Scouts quoting Dave Budd
To me they all sound as though they're sitting on the fence with regard to what attitude to take to keep their sales up ... education is really needed, but how ???