Got arrested this morning

[charlie222]

I can see peoples frustration. However the police are in an almost impossible situation. How could they explain away not responding to a concern regarding firearms? Even if you've texted or got some number from them to acknowledge you are out,and they've rung you, how can they be sure you're the only one walking about with a gun? Its the same with the fireservice, you can tell them your having a burn, but if it gets called in they have to attend.
We just have to politely engage with them as many in this thread have. I drove down the m1 near Rotherham a while back, someone was clearly out pigeon decoying bang next to the motorway. Id guess they were a legal distance away but, they are asking for trouble, needs a bit of thought .
I agree the police were heavy handed in this instance, but I would deffo err on the side of caution in thier job.

 

[Silvius]

A bit OTT I think.
I think a phone call to whichever organisation you belong to would be a good start.
Who is your MP? Might be worth arranging an appointment to see them.
I was stopped whilst out foxing a couple of weeks ago at 00.30.I noticed a car following me and I turned into one of my perms which has a big passing place on the end of the long drive. The car pulled up alongside me . So I got out and went over.

Unmarked patrol car. The police officer could not have been any more charming and polite. We had a brief chat and he even had a look at some foxs with my thermal. He was obviously fire arms trained. He hadn't done a PNC check. Didn't request sight of of my weapon

Completely civil encounter.
D
D

I might contact my MP. This will be an interesting one for her. She is a newly elected Liberal Democrat.

 

[Cyres]

Worth a shout. Ask her to write to the PCC and CC. It may take a while to see her.
I bumped into my new elected LD MP a month or so ago and asked her to raise the Glos FAC licencing issue.
D

 

[Silvius]

The police I assume from what you've said were responding to the report of a firearm, as you have said they don't know until they arrive what they are dealing with, the chat with the unarmed officer sounds like a great scenario, what if it wasn't you? What if that unarmed officer was shot by a nutter with an unregistered firearm? The police can only act on the information given, they will have SOP's they will follow.
Sadly, I think what you are upset with, is public perception of hunting, of which I agree with you totally

Yes, I agree. What the police focus on is a good barometer of public sentiment. They just do their job. If we just accept that position as fine, then what next? Against us is a well funded lobby who feel they have the moral upper hand. If we stay silent, they will continue their advances into our lawful lives.

 

[Silvius]

The police can only respond to the initial report. Their actions will therefore depend on its content.
At which point were you “arrested”…?
DG

When I reached the road. I think after the handcuffs. I had long before called out "I have a rifle, may I take it off (my shoulder)" and on my second request been allowed to put it on the ground as it and the heavy clothing were making it hard to climb the very steep rocky hill with my hands in the air.

 

[Irish Bob]

Were you near something that could be of interest or considered sensitive? For example a wood next to a former prime minister’s home is likely to trigger a robust response. A wood near nothing of interest should not.

 

[Silvius]

Please read PACE Code G 2012 (accessible)

Get professional advice and implement it.

Good stuff. Thanks

 

[Silvius]

Were you near something that could be of interest or considered sensitive? For example a wood next to a former prime minister’s home is likely to trigger a robust response. A wood near nothing of interest should not.

Good question. I have shot that wood for years and not heard of anything of interest being near there. But one never knows.

 

[Irish Bob]

Unlikely then.

 

[Lateral]

This IS NOT the USA, and most ARE NOT used to seeing people walking around with a rifle, and scope on it !

In this day, and age, with the general public's fear of terrorism, and shootings in the news becoming more common, is it any surprise that when a member of the general public sees someone with a rifle, they think the worst, and call the police ? How many times have lives been saved, because someone has done just that ?

Chastise the person for making the call, have you got a screw loose ? I'm bloody glad they did, because I'd rather that, than what could be the alternative......................

However, IMPO, as soon as the police identified the car, and the people, within a couple of minutes of arriving, they would have known they were FC holders, and that should have been the end of it.

 

[finnbear270]

When I reached the road. I think after the handcuffs. I had long before called out "I have a rifle, may I take it off (my shoulder)" and on my second request been allowed to put it on the ground as it and the heavy clothing were making it hard to climb the very steep rocky hill with my hands in the air.

You were lucky?

 

[Rake Aboot]

This IS NOT the USA, and most ARE NOT used to seeing people walking around with a rifle, and scope on it !

In this day, and age, with the general public's fear of terrorism, and shootings in the news becoming more common, is it any surprise that when a member of the general public sees someone with a rifle, they think the worst, and call the police ? How many times have lives been saved, because someone has done just that ?

Chastise the person for making the call, have you got a screw loose ? I'm bloody glad they did, because I'd rather that, than what could be the alternative......................

However, IMPO, as soon as the police identified the car, and the people, within a couple of minutes of arriving, they would have known they were FC holders, and that should have been the end of it.

I disagree
Going out shooting is a perfectly normal thing to do.
The fact that the press have folk terrified of their own shadow should not reflect on us, basically what you are saying is that we are all criminals and terrorists until the police say otherwise.

It’s that kind of thinking that’s part of the problem

 

[sikamalc]

OK some of you have obviously overlooked my warning about abusive language towards other members on here.
One already banned on this thread by my colleague, and or two more that may well fall foul of the big red button.
Keep it civil and polite, otherwise your gone.

 

[SimpleSimon]

I disagree
Going out shooting is a perfectly normal thing to do.
The fact that the press have folk terrified of their own shadow should not reflect on us, basically what you are saying is that we are all criminals and terrorists until the police say otherwise.

It’s that kind of thinking that’s part of the problem

I agree with you to an extent, but that's not the fault of the Police. There'll be an awful lot of people in our towns and cities who don't even realise you can legally own firearms in this country.

The police response has to be based on the information available to them, and the less info they have the higher risk the situation has to be. Two older men in wax jackets and flat caps leaving a car that's registered to a FAC holder might not get the same response as two youths in hoodies and balaclavas leaving a car recently reported stolen, but if neither description has been given they can't just hope for the best...

Going back to the first paragraph, the more we as individuals can do to promote shooting, and the more BASC, etc. can do to educate and inform, the better. People don't need to panic when they see a firearm, but they don't know that until they know it.

 

[charlie222]

I disagree
Going out shooting is a perfectly normal thing to do.
The fact that the press have folk terrified of their own shadow should not reflect on us, basically what you are saying is that we are all criminals and terrorists until the police say otherwise.

It’s that kind of thinking that’s part of the problem

So if the police don't treat a situation like this as though there is a potential threat to public safety, as a default postion, what would be your set of criteria to make an alternative decision? How would public safety when there is an actual threat be affected?

 

[finnbear270]

Sorry Sir, We'll have to nip back to the station, These leg irons won't go on your Muckboots.

 

[Jeff8861]

Yes you can make a complaint. However it will go nowhere. The actions of the officers are from what you say are in line with sop across England and Wales. If possible and you're constabulary has it text in and let them know you're out shooting. Especially if you're perm has boundaries close to where members of the public have access.
In these circumstances the call taker will conduct a THRIVE assessment. This initial discussion with thr caller and police is vital to ensue the appropriate and reasonable action is taken. If the call handler is weak or the call is vague this ultimately leaves the control room Imspector not much room so will go with sending an arv.

 

[bigtone]

It's about £30 for a body cam from Amazon,won't stop you getting arrested but you can make the coppers "famous" on social media.Also if your approached by antis it'll stop any accusations.

 

[Greenmist]

Were you near something that could be of interest or considered sensitive? For example a wood next to a former prime minister’s home is likely to trigger a robust response. A wood near nothing of interest should not.

An interesting story I heard which happened near chequers, not sure of the PM at the time as it was during the musical chairs phase of the conservative party, in a nutshell, some hare coursers decided to try some new land, it was deemed a poor choice after being face down in the mud with a HK pointed at the back of their heads

 

[Greenmist]

I disagree
Going out shooting is a perfectly normal thing to do.
The fact that the press have folk terrified of their own shadow should not reflect on us, basically what you are saying is that we are all criminals and terrorists until the police say otherwise.

It’s that kind of thinking that’s part of the problem

Perfectly normal to us, this is the reaction of an uneducated public, some of which think only the police and army have guns in this country (overheard the conversation myself)