Police to target the innocent!

**Pebble** · 22nd July 2009, 06:24 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/d...re/8116783.stm

Not on web site yet, but report presented on the Toady program Radio 4, showed that these Torches are incapable of detecting street cocaine, and can only detect 'crack cocaine' in concentrations not used by human beings.

All positives are therefore false positives (makeup etc).

The official response from the police on being informed that these were useless, was that they act as a deterrent so police will continue using them!

Just imagine the consequences if lack of co-operation followed one of these false positives! Does this count as stupidity or deliberate harrassment?

**Mulder** · 22nd July 2009, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Pebble

The official response from the police on being informed that these were useless, was that they act as a deterrent so police will continue using them!

I'd like to say 'unbelievable' but sadly it isn't! I hope some innocent person whose night is ruined by the police in this way takes them to court. Could be worth quite a bit in compensation!

**Trinoc** · 22nd July 2009, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Mulder

I'd like to say 'unbelievable' but sadly it isn't! I hope some innocent person whose night is ruined by the police in this way takes them to court. Could be worth quite a bit in compensation!

Like this woman, perhaps ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2...le-phone-court

**Mulder** · 22nd July 2009, 10:38 AM

I really hope she wins! I once looked upon a police presence as re-assuring but not any more.

There is an assumption being made that filming the police might somehow be useful to terrorists. But where is the evidence? When it comes to drafting 'anti-terrorism' legislation, opinion seems to count for more than evidence.

**Graham Lappin** · 23rd July 2009, 10:31 AM

Perhaps treading on a little thin ice but I would just make the point that the police have to follow the rules set down from above. It's not the police officers on the beat, it's those at the top who are out of touch on all this.

I am afraid we all see irrationalities in our every days lives all the time.

**Mulder** · 23rd July 2009, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Bunny

Perhaps treading on a little thin ice but I would just make the point that the police have to follow the rules set down from above.

'... just following orders ...'

**newatheist** · 23rd July 2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mulder

I really hope she wins! I once looked upon a police presence as re-assuring but not any more.

There is an assumption being made that filming the police might somehow be useful to terrorists. But where is the evidence? When it comes to drafting 'anti-terrorism' legislation, opinion seems to count for more than evidence.

Me too. I really despise all the 'anti-terror' bull*hit.