Police Caution

[bobg]

I haven't read all of these posts so forgive if I'm repeating other contributors but I regularly use the Northern Line in and out of Liverpool and since this crackdown there have been sugificantly fewer serious "anti social incidents " The feet on seats thing was on the tannoys al all stations for months after it was introduced but I've not heard it recently. I notice the travelling security guards also have cameras strapped to their shoulders. I have to say its not a job I would relish but I've seen them tackle many nasty situations in a very professional way. I did read in our local paper that they cautioned an old lady with a leg injury recently who said she was in considerable pain ..... mind you it transpired that she'd been all daywalking all round L'pool shops spending her birthday vouchers earlier.

 

[darkstar]

Anyway it's just lazy & slovenly behaviour IMO.

Yes, think we have all come to that conclusion, i am the worst person around here, a criminal who should be locked up! You will see me in 10 years time, the slippery slope would have taken full effect, i'll be selling crack to 5 year olds...

 

[Norm]

... i'll be selling crack to 5 year olds...

If you could let me know your prices, that would be great, thanks.

 

[very-near]

Oi! The thongs only for special occasions!
I was told we would recieve a letter within 3 weeks from them, they give my details to the police, the caution is then given when the police are involved. I was only getting carried away because it had just happened.
no need to call me a sod though, wouldn't mind if it were said in a funny way, thats just rude.

Burn the witch

 

[Jonathan M]

Today i was traveling from liverpool to Chester, a short train journey operated by Mersey Rail. My friend and i both put a foot up on the opposite seat, just on the very edge, not touching the actual fabric. We were then approached by 3 burley security guards who informed us it was a "cautionable" offense. We both apologised and told them we didn't know anything about this law (turns out Mersey Rail are the only company who enforce this) They then took all of our details including hair colour, clothes, address, phone number, date of birth etc We will get a letter from them and will be issued with a police caution, if we don't accept that we will have to go to court.
I am still in shock, it is not exactly the crime of the century, we both apologised and should at least get a warning before we are burdened with a Criminal Record? Or surely a fixed penalty would be more appropriate? A Police caution is on your record for the rest of your life!

I feel for Darkstar and his experience here, however part of the issue that he's a relative newcomer to the area, and it wsa highly promoted a couple of years ago that Merseyrail would take action against those who put their feet on seats.

As for why, customer satisfaction survey outcomes suggested this was what passengers wanted. Lets face it, it is the cleanliness issue, but also a lot of the time if the train is busy the "feet seaters" don't move their feet, so seats are wasted unnecessarily. Besides, it is a bit like the "pettyness" of enforcing basic rules in schools, it can make a difference to how other standards are adhered to.


As for conviction/caution & CRBs, the wife works at a large north west university, and is involved with the admission side of things. All her candidates need enhanced CRBs and having something of record does not automatically rule a person out of a place on her courses. It all depnds on the nature of the conviction/caution, and to a lesser extent when it took place.

I much prefer travelling with Merseyrail now than in the past.

 

[garrilla]

I'm another Merseyside resident that has a) not read all the threads on this post ; that Merseyrail are still pursuing offenders for this and other anti-social crime; and c) wish it happened else where where I travel on trains and buses because I'm sick of sitting on public transport in the muck of people's feet or breathing in their skunk weed reefers or being threatened by children who have no respect and merely seek to boost their own self-esteem through denigrating others.

 

[Bromptonaut]

As I understand it security guards employed on behalf of Merseyrail observed the OP with his feet on the seats. The sec guards are authorised persons as described in the bye laws and as such were entitled to ask for names etc. The also, as witnesses, recorded identifying observations about the alleged miscreants such as clothing, hair colour/style etc.

Miscreants will, idc, be reported through Transport Plods with a view to prosecution. This is same process as would occur if members of public reported an offence by an identifiable person (or, ofr benefit of those needing a road safety analogy, vehicle with recognisable VRN ec).

BTP/CPS will then decide whether to prosecute, offer a caution etc. So next stage will be for Darkstar to ge a letter from TransPlod or CPS giving him some choices.

Perhaps he could keep us posted?

 

[darkstar]

Man, i hope i don't have to go to court. If i get a conviction from this i will be screwed. Have to wait 3 week for the verdict!

 

[garrilla]

Man, i hope i don't have to go to court. If i get a conviction from this i will be screwed. Have to wait 3 week for the verdict!

Is that an option? Is there an adress I can write to urging them to throw the book at you?

To save thread space can I also use this post to rant about chewing gum? That's another filthy habit that is unneccesary, especially when people leave their gum on seats, under tables, etc or spit it on to the pavement which I've neverstood why they dont spit it the road.

 

[darkstar]

Why would you say something like that? Do you know the implications involved with having a conviction?
I am seriously worried and will not be able to relax for the next 3 weeks, please don't take the piss.

 

[garrilla]

Why would you say something like that? Do you know the implications involved with having a conviction?
I am seriously worried and will not be able to relax for the next 3 weeks, please don't take the piss.

OK, it wasn't intended with any malice so I apologise.

I thought you were just up for a caution? If you accept the caution then its over with. I very much doubt that anyone will want to seek a greater punsihment for this.

Do you accept you did wrong? And do you feel a caution would be suitable redress?

 

[darkstar]

Yes i admitted i was wrong at the time and would accept a caution, although i have read many stories on the net about people being taken to court over the issue, so i'm not sure what is going to happen. They do seem to be a few years ago though so they may just caution people now.

 

[CopperBrompton]

A fixed penalty would seem a more sensible way of dealing with this, but I'd make it at least £200. I can see no excuse whatsoever for feet on seats.

 

[Crankarm]

Why would you say something like that? Do you know the implications involved with having a conviction?
I am seriously worried and will not be able to relax for the next 3 weeks, please don't take the piss.

I hope when you attend court in your cheap Burton's suit your shoes are highly polished that the shine catches the Benches eye. Don't put them on the edge of the dock or court room table what ever you do. That would be as good as poking the magistrate in the eye indicating you have no remorse. You could wear some nice brogues with two tone black and white uppers just like a little gangsta ..........

 

[on the road]

Yes i admitted i was wrong at the time and would accept a caution, although i have read many stories on the net about people being taken to court over the issue, so i'm not sure what is going to happen. They do seem to be a few years ago though so they may just caution people now.

I very much doubt if they'll take you to court over this, it's only a minor offence. If you've accepted a caution then all that will most likely happen is that you get a letter from the police giving you the details of the caution. I can't see the police coming around and knocking on your door, and even if they do, if you're not in they might not even come again.