Taxi Driver Online

did you see the state of the silver one just before the tunnel the side is all bashed in

I would call that minor accident damage skippy

Apparantly one of the Railway Union drivers was nicked for obstruction earlier in the day.

RMT driver arrest caught on camera!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Stormcab#p/ ... nktHGp5zqA

He seems a little unhappy. Both of them.

If I was him I would challenge why he was handcuffed.

ACPO have rules as to when handcuffing is ok, two of those rules are if the person was attempting to flee, and resisting arrest.

Can't see any of those conditions being met on that tape.

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IDFIMH

The driver involved was not arrested but released soon after his detention without charge.

During this unlawfull and cowardly arrest the driver has sustained a broken wrist.

He is now unable to work and will be seeking compensation against these traffic police THUGS.

Roll on WEDNESDAY .

We welcome the decision to suspend the issuing of any more Satellite office operators licenses from 1st June 2010 until the consultation in August.

Clearly this is a direct result of the first demonstration.

However, we at the LTDF feel that this PCO Notice does not come anywhere near to addressing the issues that the whole Taxi trade industry faces every day and night of our working lives.

We feel that this is nothing more than a patronising statement and a feeble attempt to disuade us from any further action.

We offered Mr Mason the chance to enter into dialogue with us, but he declined.

We will now go ahead with the planned 2nd demonstration.

See you all in the Aldwych next Wednesday at 3pm, and let's show them that we mean business.

Please spread the word to all your colleagues.

Thank you.

And so he should.... I would have taken the numbers of these so called policemen and also complained as to their competency.....

more footage of protest http://www.youtube.com/user/Stormcab#p/ ... vps_jo-5jg


Well done for taken a stand i will not be able to attend the demo because i am in Dundee but i will give a toot of support .I wish the taxi drivers in Dundee had the balls to do the same

Tone It would not take much to block Dundee off as you only have 3 main roads in and out, you could start a go slow over the Tay bridge, by going back and forth

Can you explain to me why this arrest was unlawful?

Is this a qualified opinion, or forum qualification?

What I do in these situations is to pull back and take my 'taxi' head off.

The first thought would be, change the driver to a Minicab driver, what would the RMT forums reaction be then?

Exactly.

From what I've heard today, the driver was asked three times to move his cab (as always happens at drive in protests at some stage) he refused and was arrested for obstruction.

Quite a simple offence really, move or you're nicked.

It’s always been the advice at the United Trade demos that you do exactly that, you drive off wherever the Police send you, then head back to the area at the first possible opportunity to turn around, thus spreading the effects of the demo to a much larger area.

Back to the video. So we see the PS arrest him from the driver’s seat.
What was said between the PS and the driver is only known to them. There was no one beside them when the driver was arrested.
The barrack room lawyers will be having a field day over on the RMT forum working out all the subsequent proceedings.

After the Vehicle Removal Officer (on the left on the shot) moved the Taxi to Surrey St, the driver had his details taken, warned and was then de-arrested, all of which is perfectly lawful. Anyone can be arrested and de-arrested without being charged or taken to a Police Station.

If the driver had said 'I'll block the road as soon as you let me go', then clearly he would have been taken to CX Pol Stn to prevent further offences.

Now we get to the force used to affect the (or any) arrest.

The officer can use the minimum force required.

The 'take down' affected by using the quickcuffs on one wrist is a Home Office approved technique and is taught on officer safety courses.

Again, it comes down to what was said after he was arrested, if the PS can show that the driver, a big bloke, was threatening, or used threatening language, he would justify it by saying it was for his protection.

If on the other hand the driver was told he was arrested, and got out of the cab stating 'it's a fair cop guv, I’ll come quietly', then the actions were clearly over the top and an unnecessary injury (according to csp, he had a damaged wrist) was done.

However, only a civil action through a county court will determine whether reasonable force was used or not, or whether an arrest was lawful or not.

I know that question wasn't posed to me, but the handcuffing IMO makes it an illegal arrest.

And both of us know that the real reason no charges are happening is because the police messed up.

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IDFIMH

A wise thing to do.

However there are some times when elements of the police should stand back and put a sensible head on.

From what I saw the police over-reacted. There were dozens more cabs behind, so dealing with this chap the way they did didn't help matters.

I'm quite sure if everyone involved could go back in time the situation that arose, wouldn't have.

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IDFIMH