Tuesday 14 May 2013

A Waste Of Space


Despite coming as no real surprise, I had another lesson today on the uselessness of PCSO's. Above is pictured a car parked outside my property this afternoon. As is abundantly clear by the picture it leaves no room for a pushchair to pass by let alone Mrs TBF's wheelchair.

So I visit neighbouring properties in an attempt to ascertain the owner, to no avail. I decide then to report it to the Police. Parking on a pavement is not actually an offence in itself, but under the Town and Police Clauses Act (1847) causing an obstruction is. In addition, PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) gives the Police the power to arrest any person in order to prevent an obstruction to the highway. Failure to do so could also be argued that they are not complying with their duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. I should make clear at this point I had no intention of wanting any kind of ticket on the vehicle in question - I just wanted the car moved...pronto.

Anyway when I called the non-emergency Police number, the nice chap at the end of the phone gave me a Unique Reference Number (URN) which is usually, in my experience, a Police term to mean sod off. And so two (rather young) PCSOs turn up at my doorstep 20 minutes later, only then to tell me they didn't have the power to do anything other than to place a warning sticker on the windscreen that, and I quote; "looks like an official fine but isn't". But helpfully - I use the term loosely - they informed me if it happened again then " a [real] Policeman would get involved". One wonders if it isn't illegal the first time why is it the second?

The PCSOs in question were clearly aware of the driver's address, telling me unwittingly - or perhaps otherwise - that "the driver had recently moved into the local street", but "unfortunately they were unable to do anything". On that information and with a quick Google search by myself I established where the driver lived. Subsequently I visited his property and after establishing he was owner of said car, I informed him firmly, but politely that his car had to move, which he duly did. Given that the PCSOs were aware of the registered address, why were they unable to do this?

So, in conclusion, what are the point of Police Community Support Officers again?

15 comments:

  1. Feet on the beat nothing more but I guess you already know this.

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  2. Job creation scheme - a la USSR.

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    Replies
    1. I.e. superfluous to requirements. Maybe I should invoice them for doing their job myself?

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  3. I find bradawls more use that PCSOs ... and they are so much cheaper.

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  4. coppers call PCSO's CHIMPS

    Completely Hopeless In Most Policing Situations.

    very apt methinks...

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  5. Oh come on, BF, you know the answer to:

    So, in conclusion, what are the point of Police Community Support Officers again?

    They like to dress up and pretend they're the police - good for the ego.

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  6. Mind how you go TBF the next stage could be a visit from the council telling you your hedge is encroaching on the walkway.
    The rise of the PCSO aligns with the disempowerment of the citizen. In the 60's most houses had a PCSO they used to be called responsible adults.

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    Replies
    1. Aye I've had that one

      http://thefrogsalittlehot.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/illuminating.html

      And last November Scottish and Southern Electricity company took a large chunk out of my hedge without notifying me - to dig up the pavement. Trouble is they failed to return the hedge clippings making it a criminal damage. Needless to say I was offered compensation when I threatened to sue

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  7. I think the Police "Service" is being deliberately emasculated to make way for an EU based law enforcement system.

    Same goes for our armed services.

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  8. PCSO's - About as much use as tits on a bull

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  9. You could try putting random stickers on the front and back windscreens and other windows of a car that is parked in an obstructive place. This will annoy the driver as they have to remove all of them before they can drive away. If feeling aggressive you could even write "For sale £500" on a large sticker!

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