A day of protests

Hundreds gathered at Parliament Square yesterday to protest the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill currently working its way through the Lords.

Protester at Kill the Bill Rally

Shami Chakrabarti and Bell Ribeiro Addy were among the speakers at the rally. The organisation of speakers was a little shambolic, as two sets spoke concurrently for no apparent reason on the same subject.

The demonstration then made its way to Trafalgar Square. Where they were permitted to share space with a Haitian event already rallying at the Square.

As they rallied a demonstration of thousands protesting the current situation in Afghanistan passed the Square and proceeded down Whitehall with signs that read: Save Afghan Women and Stop a Proxy Afghanistan War.

Protesters demonstrating about the situation in Afghanistan

Had it not been raining I wonder if turn out for all the different events may have been larger. Although perhaps the police bill and the situation in Afghanistan feel like a done deal to many.

Hong Kong protesters breach government building

After a long siege the protesters in Hong Kong have breached a government building.

The police did not move against them despite threats.

The protesters are mostly peaceful.

The extradition bill they are protesting against has been indefinitely suspended.

A three man job

Everyone's used to ticket inspectors, there have even been fights about ticket inspection cuts.

What I'm not so used to is seeing a police escort.

Two policeman, one ticket inspector.

Your address please sir

I have paid for my ticket, the guy behind me hasn't though.

Apparently it is also ok to ask for his personal details to chase down what is currently less than £2.

It is not uncommon for a ticket inspector to ask for details like this on a train, not so much on a bus.

But a police escort, I swear this is the first ever time I have seen them accompanied like this.

Policy, move along

Yet I call TfL and they assure me it's been happening for years, though they can't tell me exactly when it started.

There have been reported physical attacks on ticket inspectors, but largely I've seen them deal with it themselves, even really tricky people.

This was even after riots and terrorist attacks in the London area.

Only the guy they're taking details from hasn't even been aggressive, he's just sticking up for himself, as he claims he's paid anyway and as far as I can tell gives said details.

Wise resourcing?

Just to remind you, he is handing these details over for allegedly failing to pay less than £2.

And there are not a lack of seats on the bus either, so he isn't taking up someone else's seat on the bus.

So that is the man hours of three people, to chase down under £2.

I understand ticket inspection isn't the cushiest of jobs, but I largely see them go about their business unscathed.

I did enquire from TfL if it was a response to something, but they claim this, which I have never seen before, is common practice.

I apologize this has become so Gonzo.

Why not officer?

I happened to be in town recently and saw police tape cordoning off some of Oxford Street.

I beckon over one of the policemen to ask what had happened.

An incident.

What kind of incident?

I can't tell you.

Why not?

It's private.

Will it be going to court?

I can't tell you at this stage.

Perplexed

Now this all seems very innocent, but I'm stood there thinking: Why am I allowed so little information?

After all it happened in a public place.

Someone may have got hurt and I'm not even allowed to what kind of incident it was.

I mean I'm not asking who and I already know the where.

But I'm not allowed to know what kind of incident happened in my own city that has drawn police attention.

Is this all lies?

This piece is paraphrased from memory, they are not exact quotes.