Riots: Metropolitan police planned to hold all suspects in custody

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Senior Metropolitan police officers devised a policy of holding all people arrested on riot-related offences in custody and recommending that the courts also refuse bail after they were charged, according to a leaked "prisoner processing strategy" that lawyers argue could pave the way for a mass legal challenge.

The document, seen by the Guardian, was circulated to all investigating officers at the height of the violence two weeks ago by Operation Withern, the codename for Scotland Yard's emergency response to the outbreak of violence in the capital. It suggested that no one arrested in or after the riots should be let off with a caution – regardless of the offence – and that everyone arrested should be held in custody, with a recommendation that bail should also be denied when the case first goes to court.

Lawyers began proceedings on Monday for the first judicial review of the custody procedures, which resulted in 62% of those arrested for involvement in the riots remanded in custody compared with a normal rate of around 10% for more serious offences. They claimed the document amounted to a blanket policy of mass imprisonment of people.

The police document argues that the policy was necessary to prevent further public disorder as violence spread through the capital. But it also acknowledges that the force was so stretched at the height of the riots that it was "impractical" to bail people while they conducted "protracted" investigations, suggesting that investigating officers use special rules to fast-track cases to the courts with less evidence than is normally required. The recommendation could expose the Metropolitan police to accusations that it adopted a policy of "conveyer belt" justice in order to deal with its unprecedented workload.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/22/riots-metropolitan-police-suspects-custody

[dipsydoodle]

1. Good

As it says "That decision was been made in the interest of public safety and the prevention of further cases of disorder."

That's probably what the majority of the UK would've wanted. Looks like our police did the right thing.

Aside from being an unprecedented workload it was an unprecedented event - organised looting using social media. Preliminary arrangements had already been mooted in certain parts of our population , somewhat notorious for violence between themselves , to retaliate against the looters. Fortunately , for their own good, the looters stopped in time. I don't really think they'd have wanted to meet Mr Stanley.

Aside from which :

And so the Guardian’s police scoops continue…

Another day, another Guardian scoop by Amelia Hill of an arrest of another former News of the World journalist in the ‘phone hacking’ investigation. Another example of the Guardian publishing information apparently not available to other outlets. Another failure of the rest of the media and the public to ask how this clique of Guardian journalists manages to learn about police activities before they are made public.

The give away is in the BBC’s write up of the story:

http://autonomousmind.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/and-so-the-guardians-police-scoops-continue/

[Arctic Dave]

2. To hell with the law, start mass detentions.

We will warm up the freedom weapons shortly.

[dipsydoodle]

3. If you're not UK

Why is it your affair ?

[Arctic Dave]

4. You don't think we have riots here?

You sound like a tyrant.

[dipsydoodle]

6. We're not talking about where you are.

we're talking about the UK specifically.

[Arctic Dave]

7. Are riots different there?

Or are you less concerned with laws?

[CreekDog]

10. same reason you comment on news about things going on here

:hi:

[ooglymoogly]

12. Is that the royal "we"

and is this yours and OP's joint post.

[GliderGuider]

5. Trends in policing tend to be passed along from country to country through "informal" connections

Like the connections that Murdoch & Co. had with politicians, intelligence agents and the police. Those connections tend to jump national boundaries and cross-fertilize policies in other nations.

The reduction of freedoms in another putative democracy are everyone's affair.

[ooglymoogly]

9. Gee could it be we are all human beings...well most of us.

These riots are caused by Reich wing policies, of stealing from the poor and giving to the rich. And that is now beginning to happen here. Ever hear of the Hemingway idea that no man is an island...well in that sense no country is an island.

[Xithras]

15. What mass detentions?

Ultimately, it was the decision of the judges, and not the police, to hold the arrestees.

Prosecutors routinely recommend that judges deny bail in the U.S. every single day. The judges are free to accept or reject that recommendation as they see fit, and they often do.

[Arctic Dave]

16. Really? Show me anywhere were a judge has denied bail to a demonstrator?

A serial killer or a flight risk maybe but your sickingly use of lowering the bar is dripping in fascism.

[Xithras]

17. What I said....is that it's the judges call.

The police can recommend anything they want. It's the judge that makes the call. As I said, the judge is free to accept their suggestion or reject it as they see fit. Sometimes they do what the prosecutors ask, and sometimes they don't. It isn't a "fascist state" just because the police ask for it.

And, for what it's worth, I was in Seattle in 1999. As I recall, more than 600 people were held for days, without bail, for protesting. And that was in pre-9/11 America with a Clinton in the White House.

[Arctic Dave]

18. So that makes it right?

That is the whole arguement right there, it starts a precedent and all you have to say is , "well, they did it".

And yes, it is a fascist state when the authorities don't use proper procedure for whatever whim they have.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ooglymoogly]

11. KR...I think someone, not very bright, has stolen your thread. nt

[blkmusclmachine]

13. The Brownshirts don't need no stinkin' laws:

Seig Heil! Seig Heil! Seig Heil!

[ooglymoogly]

14. Kr nt