Riot cops raid Sussex cafe
porkbolter | 28.11.2002 19:38
MORE than 30 riot cops raided the Bongchuffa cafe in Worthing, West Sussex, yesterday (N27).
In an astonishing overkill, police rushed in equipped with bullet-proof vests, helmets and battering rams.
Some 20 people inside the smoking accessories shop and cafe were made to put their hands on their heads or tables, searched and questioned and several were apparently arrested.
The cops' motives for the raid can be guessed at from the fact that they invited the mainstream press along to picture them in glorious action and from the statement from Inspector Allan Lowe, who told the Argus paper: "It is important for public confidence in Worthing that we do take action of this kind."
In other words this, like the ongoing bullying of environmental campaigners in the coastal town, was all about intimidation and being seen to be in control at all times.
In an astonishing overkill, police rushed in equipped with bullet-proof vests, helmets and battering rams.
Some 20 people inside the smoking accessories shop and cafe were made to put their hands on their heads or tables, searched and questioned and several were apparently arrested.
The cops' motives for the raid can be guessed at from the fact that they invited the mainstream press along to picture them in glorious action and from the statement from Inspector Allan Lowe, who told the Argus paper: "It is important for public confidence in Worthing that we do take action of this kind."
In other words this, like the ongoing bullying of environmental campaigners in the coastal town, was all about intimidation and being seen to be in control at all times.
porkbolter
e-mail:
porkbolter@eco-action.org
Homepage:
www.eco-action.org/porkbolter
Comments
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busts the stereotype
28.11.2002 22:40
dh
Ring of Confidence
28.11.2002 23:26
That's what they said about arming cops in Haringey with submachine guns;
"It is important for public confidence in Haringey that we do take action of this kind."
How confident are you that this will soon end in tears?
bystander
"Stash the Hash..... Its a Raid..... Maaaan"
05.12.2002 13:13
It's just the usual crap we've come to expect from the police force with the second worst clean up rate in the country. - Turning Brighton into a military zone when Labour have their conferences, 50-100 coppers every Saturday in winter following around 6-10 Hunt Saboteurs, harrassment for people handing in a petition against the destruction of woodland and pepper spraying people sitting in the road protesting against war!!
Miss Point