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White Privilege - MET Police

(356 Posts)
Bea65 Tue 25-Jul-23 20:15:46

Am so upset and outraged that a mother was arrested with her young son by Met Police as having not paid bus fare…Mother had paid bus fare .. am physically disgusted with MET police
They have traumatised this young boy and CANNOT understand these charges..

VioletSky Sun 30-Jul-23 18:51:59

She wasn't kicking off in the video, just trying to get to her crying son

I'm not deflecting anything

I'm saying thus has been mishandled and the evidence so far agreed

Other bystanders say before the filming started they tried to put her on the floor... So I am waiting to see if the body am footage is released to see if that is true

tickingbird Sun 30-Jul-23 18:45:43

She was kicking off. Police are trained to handcuff first. She could have been carrying a bladed weapon.

You can argue and deflect all you want VS but this woman was in the wrong not the police. It’s really simple. Just comply and go on your way.

VioletSky Sun 30-Jul-23 18:32:56

There was no need to handcuff a non threat

eazybee Sun 30-Jul-23 18:24:38

Statement from Metropolitan Police.
The woman involved in this incident was asked to provide her ticket but did not do so. She was spoken to by a TfL Inspector, then by a PCSO . and finally by a Police Officer. She continued to try to walk away and did not provide her ticket for inspection.
She was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and was handcuffed. When officers were able to take her ticket from her so TfL could check it they were able to confirm it was valid. She was de-arrested and the handcuffs were removed.

This was a pre-planned operation to check on fare evasion and all passengers on the bus and alighting were asked to show tickets.
So, why did she refuse to show her ticket, three times?
Why was someone there ready to film part, but not all, of the incident?
The officers involved have offered to show their bodycam footage and are awaiting permission.

VioletSky Sun 30-Jul-23 18:17:28

I'm saying what I am saying Mollygo

Mollygo Sun 30-Jul-23 17:37:59

Oh, I read that she didn’t show her pass/ticket when asked. Are you saying that’s not true?

VioletSky Sun 30-Jul-23 16:26:03

What are you talking about now Mollygo?

All I know is there was a complete over reaction about a bus ticket that traumatised a young boy. Mum was obviously confused and was manhandled for minutes after showing her bus ticket to police.

That's what I object too

Mollygo Sun 30-Jul-23 16:16:31

VioletSky

I believe the only evidence we have so far

So you believe that she refused to show her pass or her ticket. That’s good.

VioletSky Sun 30-Jul-23 16:13:19

I believe the only evidence we have so far

DiamondLily Sun 30-Jul-23 10:05:28

Security and checking on all forms of London transport systems have increased.

DD's friend is a ticket inspector, and what he says, they do get a lot of threats and abuse when they ask for proof of payment, which is why the Transport police are often called.

More ticket/pass inspections. Many stations have regular visits from the police with the dogs - I think it's for drugs and knives. They walk the dogs past people.

I don't see the problem - just produce the pass, and know that if you're carrying drugs, you may get a tug. No bias, they walk the dogs past all people.

This whole thing is a silly drama over a reasonable request.🙄

Humduh Sun 30-Jul-23 08:19:10

I do hate it when police on mass assist staff on ticket checks but I always co operate knowing if I leave they will persist

Mollygo Sun 30-Jul-23 02:36:00

If I didn't believe the evidence that would be unconscious bias.
If you only believe the evidence which supports your POV, that’s concious bias.

Maggiemaybe Sat 29-Jul-23 22:17:09

Okay then.

VioletSky Sat 29-Jul-23 21:45:17

There is evidence of non abusive behaviour, no evidence of abusive behaviour

If I didn't believe the evidence that would be unconscious bias

Maggiemaybe Sat 29-Jul-23 20:03:05

Though it’s been pointed out several times in the thread that the filming only started at the end of the incident.

VioletSky Sat 29-Jul-23 13:34:08

She wasn't abusive in the video

Riverwalk Sat 29-Jul-23 13:31:32

Jaffacake2

The young security guard at the Manchester Arena didn't follow his concerns about the bomber because he was scared of being branded a racist.
I wonder whether incidents like the challenging of this lady over the ticket will affect ticket inspectors who also might be scared of being branded a racist. I'm not sure what the answer is.

This young man was probably very inexperienced and lacked training.

It's become a stock answer when there are failings e.g. the police in Oldham regarding the abused girls to say they didn't want to appear racist.

It's just an excuse.

Jaffacake2 Sat 29-Jul-23 13:10:07

The young security guard at the Manchester Arena didn't follow his concerns about the bomber because he was scared of being branded a racist.
I wonder whether incidents like the challenging of this lady over the ticket will affect ticket inspectors who also might be scared of being branded a racist. I'm not sure what the answer is.

GrannyGravy13 Sat 29-Jul-23 12:15:17

Sorry I meant to add this applies to people of all ages, colour ability and or disability.

GrannyGravy13 Sat 29-Jul-23 12:13:42

This really is the proverbial storm in a teacup

You have to purchase a ticket or have a pass to access public transport, if/when anyone is asked to show it by a ticket inspector they are obliged to do so.

If anyone refuses to comply of course the ticket inspector will become suspicious, and if that person goes on to verbally abuse the inspector he is within his rights to call the transport police.

Fleurpepper Sat 29-Jul-23 12:08:42

Thank you Maggiemaybe. She reacted badly, for sure. We don't know why- we can only guess.

We also know of course, that Indian and Black drivers are abused and harrassed more often than others.

Maggiemaybe Sat 29-Jul-23 12:01:49

From LBC.

A bus worker called Joe, who was helping with the fare inspection operation and saw the whole incident, said that he was often subject to fare evaders who become abusive.

He told LBC's Nick Ferrari on Monday: "The inspector told her to please show the pass and she started being abusive to the inspector.

"And when the police asked her to show the pass, she started abusing the police as well. She could have just shown the pass and walked away - and that would have been the end of the matter."

He added: "She committed an offence by failing to show her pass when requested.

"And then the next thing to then verbally abuse the police and inspectors - and that was why she was detained."

The woman did not offer an explanation for why she didn't want to show her pass, the witness said.

He added: "Every single day we are subjected to abuses by people who fail to show their pass or people who fail to pay.

"It is a constant thing - it is a daily occurrence."

Joe said: "We are very concerned about our safety and we are constantly trained about how to deal with situations."

Fleurpepper Sat 29-Jul-23 09:33:33

Has anyone seen a video of how it all started and how she was approached?

DiamondLily Sat 29-Jul-23 08:11:20

This whole thing need never have occurred. I travel on various parts of the London travel system. They lose so much money with fare avoidance/stealing, that there are ticket inspectors more often than not.

Good - because stealing costs us all more money.

99.9% of the population, all and any cultures, produce proof of payment and then go about their business.

No dramas, no upset. Nothing.

That's all that needs to happen.🙄

Fleurpepper Fri 28-Jul-23 20:29:13

My mum was told the same, a divorcee Protestant with one child, when she fell in love and married my Catholic dad.