Street rangers to crack down on rogue cyclists

[downfader]

My understanding is that private companies have no right to issue fines? The only thing they can do is ask you to leave, surely..? And whats their deal with the homeless? If someone stopped me on the bike and said "I'm fining you for xy and z" the first thing I would say is "are you a copper or PCSO?" The second thing being "goodbye!" Not that I ever do anything illegal on the bike...





So.. code of conduct... I thought we had that already - the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act!

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

If they have "issued fines" isn't that obtaining money by deception, or possibly impersonating a police officer?

 

[Bromptonaut]

Other than excitable stuff written by third division journos is there any indication that these guys can/do issue fines?

I've worked in Holborn almost continuously since 1979 and I cannot remember seeing one!!!

 

[Wobblers]

Oh, jolly good, a private security/vigilante force. Marvellous. As a pedestrian, I find that pavements blocked by inconsiderately parked cars a far worse problem than cyclists. Who here thinks that they'll be fining those pavement-parking motorists? No? I thought not.

I believe (but IANAL) that a number of offcious sods officals apart from the police do have the power to issue fines: but they're all government or local government employees. I doubt repersentatives from private companies would be given such powers. Nor is there much hint of "due process" here, is there?

 

[rosscbrown]

Businesses on the South Bank recently proposed banning cyclists from the riverside walkway because of the large number of pedestrians.

I'm no expert but surely a more sensible option here would be to ban the pedestrians??

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I thought vigilantism was illegal?

So is the same approach planned for rogue motorists? Or are they being hypocrites and just picking on a minority group that can't fight back as effectively as the all-powerful motorists' lobbies? I hope this doesn't spread to Australia.

 

[PBancroft]

So that's what the companies which used to clamp on private land are going to do now...

 

[Ste T.]

As a law abider who lives in the sticks I've never seen an on the spot fine issued, let alone been given one. I was wondering, what is to stop you saying cheerio and just cycling off when stopped by these private police ( or even pcso's come to that)? Or giving a false name and address as most of us dont carry an ID card? Do private street wardens have a power of detention?

 

[stowie]

As a law abider who lives in the sticks I've never seen an on the spot fine issued, let alone been given one. I was wondering, what is to stop you saying cheerio and just cycling off when stopped by these private police ( or even pcso's come to that)? Or giving a false name and address as most of us dont carry an ID card? Do private street wardens have a power of detention?

I guess it would be quite easy to pedal off quickly. I wouldn't try it with the police though I assume it could be though of as resisting arrest.

Unless we are turning into a militia state, I cannot imagine that these people have any more powers than the average citizen. So I assume they couldn't detain in the same way as the police can. As for issuing tickets, well traffic wardens are private now and they have the power, but I again, I would assume this is through civil, not criminal courts, and the authority is given by local government.

Could be wrong though.

 

[XmisterIS]

Another reason why I am glad I don't live in London ....

 

[Jezston]

As a law abider who lives in the sticks I've never seen an on the spot fine issued, let alone been given one. I was wondering, what is to stop you saying cheerio and just cycling off when stopped by these private police ( or even pcso's come to that)? Or giving a false name and address as most of us dont carry an ID card? Do private street wardens have a power of detention?

Technically, if issued a fine by a policeman you could just bugger off. However, if he saw you again, you'd be in a whole load of trouble.

 

[Ste T.]

Even if you give false details, what is the likelyhood of the person you are dealing with face to face finding out and remembering for the next time your paths cross? This is why the last lot were so desperate to have us all carrying ID cards. Not that I am paranoid or anything, but I think they were heading for street wardens, coppers and all carrying handheld devices that could scan your face to ID you as the gold satandard. The software and hardware is available and would have been introduced for the usual boggyman of terrorism. Hang on a minute, reading this back, I am paranoid.

 

[magnatom]

So let me get this, cyclists who are caught riding on the pavement ....

Under the new scheme, cyclists could be sent on a course highlighting the dangers of weaving in and out of traffic and riding too close to lorries.

Hmm. That'll really encourage them to ride on the road!

Now all we need is a helmet camera cyclist to intentionally cycle on the pavement next to these guys and then to film the resulting conversation. That could be interesting.....

 

[BentMikey]

Giving false details is a really REALLY stupid idea. You'll get in a whole lot more trouble for doing that than you will for a fine for being silly and riding on the pavement. They will check on you, because everyone thinks they are clever enough to give false details.

 

[Theseus]

Why would you get into trouble for giving false details to these wannabe cops?

If they were the real thing, I would agree, but these rented security forces have no powers other than bullying.