I don't think that's really true. I'd say that any organisation which steps over the line of supporting specifically its own members ought to keep in the loop those who are likely for good and ill to be affected by the results of its actions/influence and by the outcomes/circumstances it 'welcomes' or 'considers'.If you’re not a member of said orgs nothing to do with yousee how it works both ways
Cumbria police asking people to tattle on legal firearms owners.
- Thread starter 12gsnapcaps
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tackb
Well-Known Member
i hope you're not holding your breath...........
and knife crime
So nothing at all in the article suggested to you it was a Crimestoppers initiative? Not even one of these four sentences?
The initiative, led by the independent charity Crimestoppers, aims to prevent accidents and protect communities by encouraging people to report concerns about licensed gun owners in the region.
"I’d encourage anyone with information or worries to report these anonymously to Crimestoppers online or by phone; their information could help save a life.
Crimestoppers is urging people to come forward with information if they are worried about a firearm owner.
Crimestoppers’ campaign aims to reinforce the message that reporting concerns could help save lives and prevent avoidable tragedies.
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Conor O'Gorman
Well-Known Member
BASC has taken immediate steps in response to this misguided initiative:
basc.org.uk
- Meeting with the Home Office policing minister: BASC will be raising its concerns and questioning the fundraising of Crimestoppers in a meeting with the Home Office policing minister next Wednesday.
- Letter to Crimestoppers: BASC’s chief executive will write to the Crimestoppers CEO calling for the immediate withdrawal of this campaign.
- Engagement with Cumbria Police: BASC will contact the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure legal firearms users are protected from malicious accusations.
- Political Engagement: BASC will be writing to all Cumbrian MPs urging them to raise this issue with the policing minister and in Parliament.
BASC condemns Crimestoppers campaign against law-abiding firearms owners
BASC condemns a Crimestoppers campaign in Cumbria encouraging anonymous denunciations of lawful firearms holders, stressing its commitment to safety and fairness.
basc.org.uk
tackb
Well-Known Member
wow !
I’d have less issue with this if it was more a general police initiative to remind the public that they can contact the FLD if they have concerns, just as they might contact the police for any other reason.
However, this does (a) have an undertone of encouraging ‘denunciation’, (b) is encouraging anonymous complaints, which will encourage malicious conduct, over an area where malicious allegations are more likely and where there is little reason to think people need to report anonymously, and (c) continues to give the impression that legal firearms holders pose a particularly high risk to the public, so justifying extreme scrutiny.
You don’t see this kind of campaign for drink drivers, despite them killing most, if not every, day of the year.
tackb
Well-Known Member
i'm a little uncomfortable with anonymous reporting , fine not letting the accused know but the police should keep a record to act if it's found to be repeated malicious calls
Well done Connor
That was my point, even if it didn’t come across. There may be some situations where it’s appropriate but feel it should need to be justified based on there being a real risk that people won’t report if they’re identifiable to the police. I doubt there is any real evidence that people minded to complain about license holders will be deterred by having to identify themselves.
I suspect that if you thought about it more, you might see the problem.
Malicious calls to the police are one thing, because thay can be investigated and the perpetrator dealt with. Not so in this case.
Malicious calls are a minor problem when you're dealing with the normal operation of criminal law because these allegations must be fully investigated to a criminal standard and prosecuted in a fair court. In this case, there are no such safeguards. Allegation may lead directly to penalties for the certificate holder without having to meet any standard of credibility that would stand up in court, or to summary revocation.
This measure leaves certificate holders at undue risk and grants immunity to malicious actors.
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
As these calls are anonymous it could also lead to a directed campaign where one aggrieved with an axe to grind then enlists family members and friends from far and near...maybe some even not even in the same county or parish let alone the same street...to make the same malicious complaint.
Such as "I was just passing 10 Main Street with my dog and the man there came to his front door and threatened to shoot it if it walked across his driveway." You the could get several similarly worded reports to Crimestoppers made by these other family members and friends.
None of whom own a dog or even live in the locality but, as it is all anonymous, who's to tell. Then you have the effect of a SERIES of complaints being advised to the police of which not one, not even the original one, is true. But the person has their licensed revoked.
Indeed. Or by the same person continuously. It can probably be done in bulk via AI.
terrier1
Well-Known Member
This is the exact problem that is going to occur people who have no evidence ringing up and getting people into trouble.
If you had fell out with your neighbor this is just the malicious things that they would get up to or ex partner how many people have been accused wrongly by an ex partner.
More harishment on the people who are the most law abiding people in the country and have to be.
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