BTP finally make arrests over silly pensioners protest in SY

[bradders1983]

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/video-police-arrest-protest-pensioners-1-6689635

Two campaigners protesting over travel cuts were arrested by police on the platform of Sheffield Station this afternoon.

‘Freedom Ride’ protesters making their voices heard over cuts to train travel passes were broken up by police and two men, thought to be pensioners, were handcuffed and detained by police.

British Transport Police confirmed the arrests.

One person was arrested at about 1.10pm on suspicion of travel fraud
A second man was arrested at 1.15pm on suspicion of obstructing police.

Well done to the BTP.
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Context to this story - free train travel to pensioners/disabled was removed at the end of March as part of their "passes".

As of this month, half fare has been added back on as a compromise, but yet they are still moaning and whining. Meanwhile, SYPTE are currently consulting on downgrading some tendered bus services from half hour to hourly frequencies in Sheffield, the first reaction to money being diverted to keep the pensioners happy? Every action and all that...

 

[yorkie]

If they lived in North Yorkshire, they'd be shocked at the train fares. No free travel and with fares typically in the region of 3 times higher for comparable journeys.

 

[PermitToTravel]

I wonder what they did to necessitate their arrests. Did they just refuse to give their details?

 

[Darandio]

I wonder what they did to necessitate their arrests. Did they just refuse to give their details?

One person was arrested at about 1.10pm on suspicion of travel fraud
A second man was arrested at 1.15pm on suspicion of obstructing police.

That explains it, doesn't it?

 

[rebmcr]

Must have caused quite a ruckus to justify the negative PR of cuffing a pensioner.

 

[bradders1983]

Apologies if any links to other forums are not allowed, but someone was witness to it:

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1319076

I watched the whole thing the "old man" was quite aggressive, swinging his arms at police and at one point he even threw their handcuffs onto the tracks. The police did a good job in restraining him as he really needed it!

 

[PermitToTravel]

That explains it, doesn't it?

Such offences are usually dealt with by the police either not at all, or by taking the person concerned's details to report them for the consideration of prosecution. I'm sure that there was more to it (as alluded to by one of the arrest being for obstruction)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

"Protesters arrested in the course of their protest which they impacably believe in and not behaving in a proper manner when doing so"

Cue the events at Orgreave, Greenham Common, etc etc etc

 

[PowerLee]

Apologies if any links to other forums are not allowed, but someone was witness to it:

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1319076

Having watched the video link from the other forum I wished the Police would have arrested that loud mouthed woman repeating "leave him alone" for noise pollution

 

[steamybrian]

If they lived in North Yorkshire, they'd be shocked at the train fares. No free travel and with fares typically in the region of 3 times higher for comparable journeys.

I agree same in the South East except Greater London.

 

[GatwickDepress]

If they lived in North Yorkshire, they'd be shocked at the train fares. No free travel and with fares typically in the region of 3 times higher for comparable journeys.

Indeed. I don't have any sympathy for them, unless their pension is 3.5 times worse than in North Yorkshire!

It's the BTP officers here that I feel sorry for. The paperwork alone for handcuffs being thrown onto the track...

 

[trentside]

So they're continuing to protest despite the half fare being introduced, which is a better concession than most pensioners receive in the rest of the country? Glad to see that some decisive action is finally being taken against these people. Hopefully this will put the seriousness of the matter into perspective for some of them and make them realise how lucky they are to get a half fare concession on the train.

 

[Sleepy]

Load of silly old buffers with too much time on their hands ! Are they not happy with riding round on buses for Free in the winter to keep the central heating off !!

 

[Class377]

I don't really want to wade into the discussion of whether they should have free travel or not (it's a MASSIVE bonus that I'd never expect, but then again when you've had it for years and it's taken away it's not ideal), but if you want to make a point, don't break the law! It'll only make people less likely to listen.

Whilst it may be a bad move to arrest a pensioner, it shouldn't make them above the law - whilst people may disagree with a law, it's there for a reason and shouldn't be broken!

 

[yorkie]

Load of silly old buffers with too much time on their hands ! Are they not happy with riding round on buses for Free in the winter to keep the central heating off !!

No, they've complained that to get to some places takes too long by bus so they'd rather take the train.

But it's backfired in my opinion, as they are showing they do have too much time on their hands and can therefore take a bus

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Whilst it may be a bad move to arrest a pensioner, it shouldn't make them above the law - whilst people may disagree with a law, it's there for a reason and shouldn't be broken!

See my posting # 8.

 

[Class 170101]

Something to remember, people of that age tend to vote in large numbers unlike subsequent generations. Whilst their point may be a valid one and their methods disgraceful don't be surprised as a consequence of their actions if a facility used by younger people is cut instead.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Something to remember, people of that age tend to vote in large numbers unlike subsequent generations. Whilst their point may be a valid one and their methods disgraceful don't be surprised as a consequence of their actions if a facility used by younger people is cut instead.

"Grey Power"...?

 

[Tracky]

They should be old enough to realise nothing in life is free. Somebody always picks up the bill. Even in the early days of nationalisation the railway had a cost and the government couldn't fund it at any price.

 

[Jonny]

They should be old enough to realise nothing in life is free. Somebody always picks up the bill. Even in the early days of nationalisation the railway had a cost and the government couldn't fund it at any price.

The trouble is that they're assuming it should be paid for by younger people, which was OK when older people only made up a smaller proportion of the population and the population was growing. Unfortunately, population growth has stalled (apart from immigration and immigrants' British children) and people are living longer (on average) than they used to. Therefore the perks are going to have to be trimmed back.
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Must have caused quite a ruckus to justify the negative PR of cuffing a pensioner.

Well, BTP are operationally independent. The train company(-ies) can hide behind that.

 

[Tracky]

The trouble is that they're assuming it should be paid for by younger people.

I don't think they are though. I honestly don't think they realise that there is a cost. I'm guessing they still talk of British Rail.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I don't think they are though. I honestly don't think they realise that there is a cost. I'm guessing they still talk of British Rail.

British Rail...

It will always be the LMS in our area on this blessed side of the Pennines...

 

[12CSVT]

Nothing new about police thuggery in South Yorkshire. By coincidence almost exactly 30 years to the day since Orgreave.

 

[abbo1234]

Having watched the video link from the other forum I wished the Police would have arrested that loud mouthed woman repeating "leave him alone" for noise pollution

Hahaha.Spot on and well said mate.

 

[the sniper]

Shock as man breaking law gets arrested...?


Oh wait, an old man?! How dare they! Leave him alone! POLICE BRUTALITY!!! :roll:

 

[yorkie]

They should be old enough to realise nothing in life is free. Somebody always picks up the bill....

I am sure they do realise this! But it doesn't bother them. They are against cuts, ie they want debts to increase to pay for their travel. The debts would be paid by younger people and future generations.

They're not stupid at all, they know exactly what they are asking for, and who is going to pay for it if they get it: us!
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I don't think they are though. I honestly don't think they realise that there is a cost. I'm guessing they still talk of British Rail.

They know full well there is a cost to younger generations, but they want future generations to pay (in the form of future interest payments on increased debts) for them to enjoy free travel in the present.

 

[route:oxford]

Oh wait, an old man?! How dare they! Leave him alone! POLICE BRUTALITY!!! :roll:

This is post Saville and other elderly celebrities now though. The police have to treat everybody equally.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Nothing new about police thuggery in South Yorkshire. By coincidence almost exactly 30 years to the day since Orgreave.

Now that is not thuggery by any definition of the word. The British Transport Police officers handled them professionally and by the book. The officers were the ones being civil, not the protesters.

No doubt if it were two young lawbreakers protesting about paying for the previous generations' debt, "a few good knocks with a baton is what they need".

I jest, of course. I'm sure you're absolutely lovely and in no way advocate police brutality based on a select demographic.

 

[fowler9]

I am personally heartened by the older generation standing up for themselves because god knows lots of younger folk won't bother until it is too late.

 

[34D]

Do we know which offence the man in the video allegedly committed?