108 replies to this topic

[mini_legend]

Hello,
Don't know if anybody will know this or not, but I'll ask anyway . On the back of my mini I have a 'True Brit, No German S***' sticker, thinking nothing of it as I've seen loads of minis with them on, all over the country. Got pulled over this morning by the rozzas and he told me that 'whilst he agreed with my sentiment, I am committing an offence by having it on' . Surely this isn't right. Didn't ask about Insurance or to see my license or anything lol. It seems bloody stupid, seeing as you see all the yobbish stickers on cars with guys P***ing on football shirts, naked women and then people have t shirts with swear words on.
He reckoned I have removed it, asterix (*) it or cover it up as the statement is offensive and having the word S*** is not appropriate in case a child sees it. He said if I didn't I could be done for it!! (HorseS***)
This is what we are paying taxes for, somebody to follow me 3 miles home to 'police' this!!!!!
Is it illegal like he reckons, or does the fact that I've had numerous cops behind me before and said nothing just prove that he is a full on jobsworth.
Cheers Guys
John

Edited by mini_legend, 19 January 2011 - 01:06 PM.

[MiniLuke]

Just do as you are told!!!

[Youngowner93]

He's telling you crap! Infact scrap that you could be in breach of the public order act it states under section 5 the following:

"(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he:

(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,

So yeah i could see were he's coming from

Edited by Youngowner93, 19 January 2011 - 01:19 PM.

[Juju]

'True Brit, No German S***'

...might be construed as inciting racial hatred [The Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006], but I don't think you'd ever be prosecuted!

He's probably just having a bad day.

[Ethel]

You could always ask at the police station for some clarification. Tell 'em where 'n when you were stopped & ask what offence you'd be committing. Tell 'em you're happy to comply but think it will damage your paintwork to remove it so want to be sure it's a legal requirement to get rid.

[Chris_R]

He wanted a reason to pull you over and have a chat with you, probably sniffing out if you had a whiff of booze or pot about you! No need to talk to you about insurance or MoT etc as ANPR/PNC link would have given him that info already.

[MiniLuke]

He's telling you crap! Infact scrap that you could be in breach of the public order act it states under section 5 the following:

"(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he:

(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,

So yeah i could see were he's coming from

There you go, more like he was doing his job properly than being a "josworth". Your tax is being put to good use after all the MiniLegend so rest easy and remove your offensive sticker!!

If only everyone did their job properly, the country would be a much better place!

[AVV IT]

Is it illegal like he reckons, or does the fact that I've had numerous cops behind me before and said nothing just prove that he is a full on jobsworth.

Like most offences it's very much down to interpretation of the law and which particular act you are deemed to be committing an offence under. It is most likely that he is referring to section 5 of the public Order Act 1986, under which a person is guilty if they "display any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting". Interestingly Part 3 of the same Act covers racial hatred offences & specifically "the use of words or behavior or display of written material". Both of which could be applied to your particular slogan as it could be deemed as both generally abusive and particularly insulting to Germans.

Personally I think the officer was more than fair, it is after all his job to enforce & uphold the law not to create it. I would consider myself lucky that he didn't take it any further, if he was being a "jobsworth" you could have found yourself with a fine, court appearance or even a criminal record, as it was though he even said he that agreed with your sentiment, so he's clearly human.

[jamie@thefatgarage]

I suppose the question is - Would you go running to the police to do something about the German that kicks your lights in after seeing the sticker?

[carts60]

The copper is in fact correct. It is illegal to diplay (what could be construed as) offensive messages, inlcuding any swearing.

I have the exact same sticker on my rear window, but before i put it on, i already knew i was taking risks. If i got pulled over, i would take it off, and put an alternative on.

Even though its only a bit of banter for me or you, someone outside of the scene could take offence, and inthe eye of the law, it is actually illegal.

Better safe than sorry.

[AVV IT]

I suppose the question is - Would you go running to the police to do something about the German that kicks your lights in after seeing the sticker?

That's a very good point!!

[mini_legend]

I won't be removing it anyway, and as for section 5. It isn't abusive or threatening at all. The sticker is aimed at Classic minis being 'true' and the german minis being 'S***'. Offensive to a car, wow, this world is crazy.
And if anybody would class this sticker as racist, then fine I am racist. Yes, I am racist for saying that the BMW mini is, in my opinion, S***. So am I racist equally for thinking that Australian Wine is awful, or thinking my Foreign TV is rubbish??
Don't try and pull the racism card guys

[mini_legend]

I suppose the question is - Would you go running to the police to do something about the German that kicks your lights in after seeing the sticker?

Firstly, course I would be he would be committing a real crime, unlike my banter. And I could call that racist too!
I didn't want to turn this into a political debate, and am not prepared to do so, just asking for some straight forward, friendly advice, not to be savaged.

[hawky443]

I won't be removing it anyway, and as for section 5. It isn't abusive or threatening at all. The sticker is aimed at Classic minis being 'true' and the german minis being 'S***'. Offensive to a car, wow, this world is crazy.
And if anybody would class this sticker as racist, then fine I am racist. Yes, I am racist for saying that the BMW mini is, in my opinion, S***. So am I racist equally for thinking that Australian Wine is awful, or thinking my Foreign TV is rubbish??
Don't try and pull the racism card guys

Ask him if he is hitlers decendant, then tell him to ******* off!!

Edited by hawky443, 19 January 2011 - 02:48 PM.

[shellspeed]

Good job there is no REAL crimes being commited in Lincon.

An average on 500 burglaries, 18 robberies, 316 vechile offences, 664 violent crimes and 3172 cases on anti social behaviour PER MONTH


Ok its not exactly greater London but its only a car sticker

STOP PESTERING MOTORISTS AND DO SOME PROPER POLICE WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!