Traveling to Europe via Eurostar
- Thread starter sandbender
- Start date
Thanks for the PM Stew, here's my 2p
If there was no provison for the knives to be conveyed securely, they should have been refused travel. I do not believe the police should have been called. They also should have complained on their arrival at the police station (to a senior officer, the constables cannot do anything about it themselves) and refused to accept the caution (legal advice would have been very useful to them here).
From the circumstances described, I would suggest the Constables who arrived at the station were young in service and inexperienced. Its amazing what insight a few years in the job gives you. Their boss 'was not too happy that they had been arrested' may well be true. Once the circumstances were explained to him, there are a few options open, one of which would be confiscation and a caution (In Scotland, we do not have cautions like in England).
I also think the folk involved possibly didnt help themselves, they concealed knives in carry on luggage (no matter how you put it - this is what they did). They should have called ahead and ensured their knives could be safely and securely conveyed.
Comments?
If there was no provison for the knives to be conveyed securely, they should have been refused travel. I do not believe the police should have been called. They also should have complained on their arrival at the police station (to a senior officer, the constables cannot do anything about it themselves) and refused to accept the caution (legal advice would have been very useful to them here).
From the circumstances described, I would suggest the Constables who arrived at the station were young in service and inexperienced. Its amazing what insight a few years in the job gives you. Their boss 'was not too happy that they had been arrested' may well be true. Once the circumstances were explained to him, there are a few options open, one of which would be confiscation and a caution (In Scotland, we do not have cautions like in England).
I also think the folk involved possibly didnt help themselves, they concealed knives in carry on luggage (no matter how you put it - this is what they did). They should have called ahead and ensured their knives could be safely and securely conveyed.
Comments?
Thanks Ross.
I agree with what you said as they should have checked first and were obviously hoping not to get caught.
What happens to their knives now?
I agree with what you said as they should have checked first and were obviously hoping not to get caught.
What happens to their knives now?
Don't they offer to keep the knife for your return at a charge of 10 pounds? I have had that a few times, although I've not been on Eurostar.
I think that everyone is aware of the situation regarding knives and public places. The obvious and sensible option involves contacting whoever you are traveling with before you travel, explain the situation, provide evidence of the trip`s intention if they ask for it, and gain some sort of written confirmation they are aware of what you are carrying and adhere to any and all requests they put forward in how that item is carried while under their responibility.
I have always taken this approach and never had any problems carrying knives and axes through airports, on trains you name it. Be honest and open and should they have a problem, arrange alternate travel for yourself or the item.
As far as the Police are concerned I personally can understand them being all too prepared to confiscate and remove passengers if they feel the item could possibly be a danger to others. At the end of the day, they dont care who, why and what the reasons are for us having a blade, they are simpley working in the interests of public safety.
The responsiblity rests firmly on our shoulders i belive to make sure our trips do not contribute to the concerns many already have that anyone carrying a blade is a nutter of some description. As I said, i have travelled many places and never ever had any problem, in each instance everyone has been made aware of what i`m carrying and the purpose and as i have a ticket in my hand, it has meant they are happy to allow me passage with that item (though obviously always in cargo) so really, with pre-planning, these sorts of things should not happen.
I have always taken this approach and never had any problems carrying knives and axes through airports, on trains you name it. Be honest and open and should they have a problem, arrange alternate travel for yourself or the item.
As far as the Police are concerned I personally can understand them being all too prepared to confiscate and remove passengers if they feel the item could possibly be a danger to others. At the end of the day, they dont care who, why and what the reasons are for us having a blade, they are simpley working in the interests of public safety.
The responsiblity rests firmly on our shoulders i belive to make sure our trips do not contribute to the concerns many already have that anyone carrying a blade is a nutter of some description. As I said, i have travelled many places and never ever had any problem, in each instance everyone has been made aware of what i`m carrying and the purpose and as i have a ticket in my hand, it has meant they are happy to allow me passage with that item (though obviously always in cargo) so really, with pre-planning, these sorts of things should not happen.
