Dorset Police really are trying to make themselves popular with Conservative representatives arriving at the conference today. Not only have they caused inordinate delays in processing the security checks for conference passes (I was told this morning that they still have 500 to do), they are now adding insult to injury by having a massive traffic police presence on the road into Bournemouth - not to catch any potential terrorists, but to stop anyone exceeding the speed limit. Yes, I know that's what they are there to do, but as a PR exercise it's not very good. Fortunately for me I was just under the limit!I don't know what security check process they have to go through but it seems ridiculous that they even have to do one for anyone who works in Parliament, because by definition they have already been security checked. Several members of the Shadow Cabinet still don't have their passes and the conference starts this afternoon. The same thing happened to Labour last week, where there were queues of up to six hours. It ought not to be beyond the wit of the conference organisers or the Police to organise it properly next year.
I'm surprised by the number of people already here. The exhibition is much bigger than last year. There are apparently 40% more representatives attending than normal, so it will be interesting to see what kind of demographic spread there is.
We have now set up the Blogging stand in the Bourne Lounge (at the top of the escalator for those who want to find us). I've already mae my first appointment in the Blog Surgery when I will be setting up a blog for a councillor in West Sussex. An MEP has also expressed an interest, so it's started very well. Later.
12 comments:
From a point of view of equality, did Greater Manchester police do the same thing re speeding on the main drag into Manchester. We should be told....
At the count at our local elections there were some 50 police defrauding overtime as usual . Meanwhile House\Breaking is in practice legal while they write their own stats which are lies as has been recently demonstrated by by Independent Surveys of crime.
Speed cameras don`t work we now know and as we suspected .
Police PA schemes are a standing joke as the only scheme in the market worse than the supply teachers sick note slush fund.
David Cameron has promised to reform this scandalously under-performing organisation . Whether he means real reform or window dressing will be a good guide to he is all about. Its an unpopular cause in some Conservative circles who feel we should always support the men in blue but badly needed.
Whilst I appreciate the point about police depolyment, it would be in the interest of everyone to not exceed the speed limit.
It's not speeding that's illegal. It's being Conservative.
A Blog Surgery! What a brilliant idea - and how generous! Was it your idea, Iain?
Can you photograph those policemen ? I have rarely seen real policemen - I have heard about them - and I see actors play them on TV - but round here you are more likely to be able to photograph faeries than policemen...............I thought they were fictional characters !
Given that the cops are probably/possibly going to have to deal with a Conservative government next time round what does this do to their salary/pension and general remuneration package prospects?
Police Intelligence? I don't think so...
That's outrageous Mr.(stasi) Chuck Unsworth - The Police should let off politicians speeding to their own political love-fest (whatever colour they are currently sporting) - because next week they could be in power.
For god's sake - you'd better hope that no 'floaters' are reading Iain's blog, hoping to pick up the touchy, feeling, all caring - all sharing in the blame/fame bluey-greeney-yallery NewTory party that may just thwart Gnasher Brown to No.10................ Oh sorry, you're sussed!
And only days ago British government figures said that only 5% of accidents had breaking the speed limit as a contributing factor. Excellent use of police resources.
Yes, I know that's what they are there to do
You think the police are there to catch speeding motorists? Not criminals? (speeding is not a criminal offence as such)
I am seriously thinking of joining the police - they get to do two things I really enjoy doing, but which the rest of us are not allowed to do - speed, and shoot guns!
For example, if you are a policeman, you may drive at nearly 130mph, and then get let off because the judge thinks that you are simply somehow unable to crash/kill someone else because you are 'expereinced at driving at that speed' (what rot - what if someone had been coming the other way for God's sake).
Secondly, you get to shoot people im the head seven times, and then not be prosecuted - although you are subject to the 'rigerous' inspection of the Health and Safety Executive, who will investigate the shooting with laws which are intended to make sure ladders are put up safely!
It's an effing disgrace!
I am growing tired of the police being used to socially engineer society, tired of them NOT banging up scum-bag criminals, angry that they are being used as unofficial tax-collectors, and fed up with the fact that they often seem to be above the law!
There are so many stories I know are true (cos I have been told a few of them by coppers I play rugby with) about coppers get stopped driving whilst drunk - then 'escorted home' but not prosecuted, about coppers getting away with stuff we'd get nicked for - blah blah blah!
They have a hard job, and we need them. But we need them to be less PC, more like a police 'force' (not a service), and to make sure they nick heir own if their own deserve nicking!
And for those who have not been to Bournemouth before. The Speed limit into Bournemouth is 50mph which is on a limited access Dual Carriageway with no roundabouts until the town centre about 3 miles from where the speed limit starts. The police normally set a mobile camera on a downside of a flyover about a half a mile from the edge of the speed restricted area. Of course its all in the name of safty and not revenue gathering. I mean standing there they can nick hundreds of people who are driving safely but just a few miles an hour over a very low speed limit. Instead of a school when pupils are arriving or leaving when you might only catch one or two motorists but those motorist are in real danger killing a child.
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