Please read... cannot believe this just happened after West End Drinks

So just left West London drinks in The Old Ship, and get about 100m down the road to just before Hammersmith Bridge on the cyclepath when i am stopped by the old bill . . .

There are 4 police officers under the bridge, the literally manhandle me off my bike, tell me that the path is no longer a cycle route and as such i am liable to a 30 quid fixed penalty . . but thats not all, upon clocking the my flashing front and rear lights they tell me that i need to turn off my lights as if i dont they will charge me with impersonating a police officer, as apparently the only flashing lights allowed on the road are those that belong to emergency vehicles, which i can understand if i was in a car, but a bicycle?? . . i of course tell them that if i switch off my light they will probably be peeling me off the Fulham Palace Road in 10 minutes time, to which they respond "The laws the law, now fuck off if you dont want to spend the night behind bars" . . .

Anyway i walk off (they told me if i rode off i would be arrested) and carry on my way home, switching my lights back on once i am out of catching disance. As luck would have it when about 5 minutes later when i hit Munster road there are 2 bike coppers, so i stop them and explain what happened - now unlike the other coppers these 2 were on the ball, i told them what had happened, and they at first refused to believe me as they thought i was taking the piss, however after getting on the walkie talkies and confirming with the police station that there were police down there they said it was well out of order and that they actively encourage bike riders to use flashing lights . .

Anyone else get stopped on the way back? Cant quite believe that i was told to turn off my light s for impersonating a police car . . .fucking surreal!

haha! that's fucking hilarious! did the bike coppers say anything about the (potential?) fine, too?

Check your PM.

haha! that's fucking hilarious! did the bike coppers say anything about the (potential?) fine, too?

The bike coppers told me i should have told the the other coppers to quote " go on then, lets see how it stands up in court" the bike coppers were top blokes and had a right laugh with me about it.

That's police harassment (the first lot). I can see a lot more of this happening under the new mayoral regime...

Is this for real? Because it is so ridiculous it beggars belief

Is this for real? Because it is so ridiculous it beggars belief

I know . . . i couldn't believe they were telling me to turn off my lights at 10.30pm . . .i usually get stopped for not having any . . f@@king bizarre!

It's not harassment but is a good case of the police exceeding their powers/ acting without lawful authority.

If people get grief like this they should be checking out: ipcc.gov.uk

The IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) isn't great - 94% of complaints against the Metropolitan police fail, but that's all we've got. The website details how to bring a complaint. Most straightforward matters will then be referred to the force in question.

The police will try and put you through something called 'local resolution'- don't do this, it'll just be swept under the carpet. Insist on a formal investigation.

If you need help I'll happily offer my time (for a pint)- if you succeed with your complaint or think you may have a claim, definitely see me!

That's police harrassment (the first lot). I can see a lot more of this happening under the new mayoral regime...

+1

The bike coppers told me i should have told the the other coppers to quote " go on then, lets see how it stands up in court" the bike coppers were top blokes and had a right laugh with me about it.

You would loose in court as the charges would be riding without lights, reckless riding, public disorder and resisting arrest - and if you are unlucky assaulting a police officer.

i haven't got time to check now but i think the law changed recently to allow flashing rear lights.
they finally saw common sense as previously the law stated you had to have a BS light with a halogen bulb of (i think) 7watts which is no better than a candle compared to todays modern lights.

It's not harassment but is a good case of the police exceeding their powers/ acting without lawful authority.

If people get grief like this they should be checking out: ipcc.gov.uk

The IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) isn't great - 94% of complaints against the Metropolitan police fail, but that's all we've got. The website details how to bring a complaint. Most straightforward matters will then be referred to the force in question.

The police will try and put you through something called 'local resolution'- don't do this, it'll just be swept under the carpet. Insist on a formal investigation.

If you need help I'll happily offer my time (for a pint)- if you succeed with your complaint or think you may have a claim, definitely see me!

The IPCC would not be interested in the slightest in something like this, it would not even register on their radar.

i haven't got time to check now but i think the law changed recently to allow flashing rear lights.
they finally saw common sense as previously the law stated you had to have a BS light with a halogen bulb of (i think) 7watts which is no better than a candle compared to todays modern lights.

Can you still use candles ?

that shit's fucked up

Can you still use candles ?

Only if they are LFGSS HHSB certified . .

flashing lights are now legal.

that's pretty bad.

[edit] being manhandled by the cops, not that flashing lights are legal [/edit]

The IPCC would not be interested in the slightest in something like this, it would not even register on their radar.

They wouldn't investigate it themselves; they wouldn't manage the investigation; they wouldn't supervise the investigation; they would simply pass it to the relevant force.

The reason for notifying the IPCC of a police complaint is simply that they will pass it on to the relevant office of the police complaints people (the DPS) which is easier than working it out yourself.

And whilst it may seem relatively trivial, the force would have to take interest.

In terms of a 'recorded complaint' it would register on the IPCC's radar.

that's pretty bad.

[edit] being manhandled by the cops, not that flashing lights are legal [/edit]

Well my first words were wtf are you doing, i could have broken something - i clocked them but as i have ridden a zillon times down there so took no notice - the grabbed me as i was just about past them.

Ok, so it's not about the Police, but it's quite a good example of why one little complaint - set by many - can make a bit of difference.

Dead Man's Switch

Proof that flashers are legal

They wouldn't investigate it themselves; they wouldn't manage the investigation; they wouldn't supervise the investigation; they would simply pass it to the relevant force.

So the relevant force would in effect investigate itself ? I wonder whose side they will take ? Hmmm.

You have to go through this yourself to realise that as much as it may appear on paper that this is how things work, when you actually deal with the police they will simply cover each other to a lesser or greater extent, their greatest weapon being indiffenrce and accidently reapeatley loosing all the paper work about your complaint.

No chance in hell.

And whilst it may seem relatively trivial, the force would have to take interest.

I promise you they would not, perhaps 'officially' they would, but not in the real world.

Ipcc +1

You're right, sadly. The complaints system is a mess and forces do investigate themselves, it's true. Having brought in the region of 100 police complaints, I've seen very little 'success'. But sometimes success depends on your measure.

I saw those copper... they were there when i left right underneath the bridge?? They shouted something at me..and i pretend I didn't speak English and cycled off... I had flashing lights..

I guess you can't really use the "me no speak english trick"...:D