Bexley father arrested after driving boy accused of shooting his son to police station (From This Is Local London)

Yes, this is a sign that the law is an ****. Unfortunately when counter-allegations are made the suspect has to be arrested. I don't know why they would have searched his home though, there would have had to have been a good reason to do so. He is actually wrong too, as shouting and swearing in a public place is against the law under Section 5 the Public Order Act.

It is a bit of a farce though, that the parent of this boy who had been shot, albeit by airgun three times was arrested. This is nothing compared to what I would have done and I think he was quite restrained in dragging him to the police station.

Really is about time someone stood up and said enough is enough, put these thugs in jail and stop persecuting innocent members of the public.

It's a good job he say anything on twitter about it, he'd still be locked up now.

I hope the lads who did this get suitable punishment, but I won't hold my breath. Probably just a badge of honour asbo.

What about the right to making a citizen's arrest?
http://www.guardian.
co.uk/law/2011/aug/0
9/guide-to-citizens-
arrest

What's being done about the idiot with the BB gun?

So armed bullies roam around our streets un-dettered, they exploit the weaknesses in our Society, disregarding the consequences of their actions by claiming 'assault' should they be lawfully detained as happened in this case..
The circumstances did not require the father's detention, nor indeed the search of his house. It was a lawful citizens' arrest.
The CPS have advised inappropriately in this case.

The Police need to sort themselves out. It was good of the father to find the criminal and take him to the police station! That saved them a job at least!

I wonder, when he saw the youths who shot his son, if he'd phoned the police how long it would have taken them to arrive (if at all)

WELL DONE to the father that took the thug to the police station, its about time we stood up to youths who cause trouble and I think it was very brave as you never know what might have happened. About time kids were a little scared of adults, like in the old days.

Everyone has the right to use their any person power to make a citizens arrest. Section 24S of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 gives someone other than a constable the right to arrest a person. It has to be done lawfully though using reasonable force. If the person being arrested makes a counter-allegation, it has to be investigated. That's the law. It's nothing to do with the police, the law is laid down by Parliament. If a suspect complains that a Police Officer has assaulted them and used unreasonable force, that would have to be investigated too.

It does sound farcical, and I really can't understand the search of his house, that doesn't make sense. If that did happen then there is more to this story than has been reported.

Another story summing up just how broken this country is.

Wouldn't it be nice if the NS took a story like this and did some PROPER JOURNALISM on it?

The Police and Criminal Evidence Act states anyone attending a Police Station voluntarily as Mr Pettman did should only be arrested if the arrest is NECESSARY. This was obviously not the case and the arrest was unlawful.

joertmclark wrote:
The Police need to sort themselves out. It was good of the father to find the criminal and take him to the police station! That saved them a job at least!

He is fortunate not to have been charged with false imprisonment. The police do not like civilians taking the law into their own hands.

plasticfantastic wrote:
Everyone has the right to use their any person power to make a citizens arrest. Section 24S of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 gives someone other than a constable the right to arrest a person. It has to be done lawfully though using reasonable force. If the person being arrested makes a counter-allegation, it has to be investigated. That's the law. It's nothing to do with the police, the law is laid down by Parliament. If a suspect complains that a Police Officer has assaulted them and used unreasonable force, that would have to be investigated too. It does sound farcical, and I really can't understand the search of his house, that doesn't make sense. If that did happen then there is more to this story than has been reported.

I presume that the police searched Mr Pettman's house because they were looking for an offensive weapon. However, it does seem suspiciously like local plod wanting to play at being The Sweeney.

We do need to remember that no charges have been made against Mr Pettman, and that two boys have been arrested and bailed regarding ABH & possession of an imitation firearm. It's not as if Mr Pettman is languishing in jail & two yobs are bragging on the internet. Mr Pettman is at liberty to issue a civil action against the Met Police if he so wishes.

I have learnt an awful lot reading this story and I would have thought so would a lot of other law abiding people,what have I learnt, simple, If I were in a position similar to Mr Petman and were lucky enough to spot my child's attacker I would follow at a very discreet distance and when the attacker was out of sight of people who could give him assistance, I would approach and kick the living c**p out of him even putting his very life in danger if necessary, exactly the same way he treated my child. But I know I'm in the right because the police seemed to do very little to him and as I would have committed the same sort of crime as he did shouldn't the outcome be the same for me as it is for him?
Well probably not but if the police are forced by the lawmakers to treat criminals with respect, dignity, and a genuine concern for their welfare and doing everything in their power to prove their innocence whilst at the same time looking on the victim as a bit of a trouble maker or a time waster or just a liar then people will stop trying to do the right thing and slowly become the vigilantes we all claim to dislike so much. If you keep kicking good people for long enough the good people will eventually kick back...honestly.

ksc wrote:
I have learnt an awful lot reading this story and I would have thought so would a lot of other law abiding people,what have I learnt, simple, If I were in a position similar to Mr Petman and were lucky enough to spot my child's attacker I would follow at a very discreet distance and when the attacker was out of sight of people who could give him assistance, I would approach and kick the living c**p out of him even putting his very life in danger if necessary, exactly the same way he treated my child. But I know I'm in the right because the police seemed to do very little to him and as I would have committed the same sort of crime as he did shouldn't the outcome be the same for me as it is for him?
Well probably not but if the police are forced by the lawmakers to treat criminals with respect, dignity, and a genuine concern for their welfare and doing everything in their power to prove their innocence whilst at the same time looking on the victim as a bit of a trouble maker or a time waster or just a liar then people will stop trying to do the right thing and slowly become the vigilantes we all claim to dislike so much. If you keep kicking good people for long enough the good people will eventually kick back...honestly.

Fully understand your stance, and I would possibly do the same thing myself. You cannot blame the police though, they are bound by the law like everyone else. As I said before, law is laid down by governments. Vote with your X

... and they wonder why they call them pigs?

BB gun boy should be in custody but you can't just bundle kids into your car and drive off.. regardless of the situation. A citizens arrest allows you to hold someone until law enforcement is present.. however, pulling some kid off the street and driving off with him.. is like.. er kidnap? I know it's probably what should have happened, but its still against the law.

annam85 wrote:
BB gun boy should be in custody but you can't just bundle kids into your car and drive off.. regardless of the situation. A citizens arrest allows you to hold someone until law enforcement is present.. however, pulling some kid off the street and driving off with him.. is like.. er kidnap? I know it's probably what should have happened, but its still against the law.

Probably better to have called the police based at the primary school across the road. Or called the police and said there is a youth with a gun.
I think many parents would think of doing this, but as events have shown not always the best course of action.

chrisbb wrote:
... and they wonder why they call them pigs?

Nice attitude, let's help you don't need the police's help!

chrisbb wrote:
... and they wonder why they call them pigs?

You can have a go at the police but a lot of the time their hands are tied by laws and regulations. Never quite get people who have a really negative attitude towards the police. What do you think would happen to the country if we had no police?

annam85 wrote:
BB gun boy should be in custody but you can't just bundle kids into your car and drive off.. regardless of the situation. A citizens arrest allows you to hold someone until law enforcement is present.. however, pulling some kid off the street and driving off with him.. is like.. er kidnap? I know it's probably what should have happened, but its still against the law.

Wrong!

Although there are no definite instructions on how to make a citizens arrest, there are several things to bear in mind:

You must inform the person what you are doing as soon as is reasonably possible;

You must tell them why you are arresting them as soon as is reasonably possible;

You must tell the person what offence you believe they have committed;

You must use reasonable force when arresting the person.

Once the arrest has been made, the person must be taken to a Magistrate or police station or else the arrest will not be valid in the eyes of the law. You will be required to make a statement and, if the person is tried in court, you may be required to act as a witness in court.


Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and store detectives use the right to make citizens arrests for some aspects of their jobs. If a PCSO or a store detective arrests you, they will have to be able to show that the arrest fulfils the legal criteria outlined above.

chrisbb wrote:
... and they wonder why they call them pigs?

Because they eat alot? lol

Think folk need to realise that ANY counter allegation WILL end up with an arrest being made regardless of the circumstances.

chrisbb wrote:
... and they wonder why they call them pigs?

Because they eat alot? lol

Think folk need to realise that ANY counter allegation WILL end up with an arrest being made regardless of the circumstances.

the wall wrote:

annam85 wrote:
BB gun boy should be in custody but you can't just bundle kids into your car and drive off.. regardless of the situation. A citizens arrest allows you to hold someone until law enforcement is present.. however, pulling some kid off the street and driving off with him.. is like.. er kidnap? I know it's probably what should have happened, but its still against the law.

Wrong!

Although there are no definite instructions on how to make a citizens arrest, there are several things to bear in mind:

You must inform the person what you are doing as soon as is reasonably possible;

You must tell them why you are arresting them as soon as is reasonably possible;

You must tell the person what offence you believe they have committed;

You must use reasonable force when arresting the person.

Once the arrest has been made, the person must be taken to a Magistrate or police station or else the arrest will not be valid in the eyes of the law. You will be required to make a statement and, if the person is tried in court, you may be required to act as a witness in court.


Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and store detectives use the right to make citizens arrests for some aspects of their jobs. If a PCSO or a store detective arrests you, they will have to be able to show that the arrest fulfils the legal criteria outlined above.

But he did take the youth to a police station

ksc wrote:
I have learnt an awful lot reading this story and I would have thought so would a lot of other law abiding people,what have I learnt, simple, If I were in a position similar to Mr Petman and were lucky enough to spot my child's attacker I would follow at a very discreet distance and when the attacker was out of sight of people who could give him assistance, I would approach and kick the living c**p out of him even putting his very life in danger if necessary, exactly the same way he treated my child. But I know I'm in the right because the police seemed to do very little to him and as I would have committed the same sort of crime as he did shouldn't the outcome be the same for me as it is for him?
Well probably not but if the police are forced by the lawmakers to treat criminals with respect, dignity, and a genuine concern for their welfare and doing everything in their power to prove their innocence whilst at the same time looking on the victim as a bit of a trouble maker or a time waster or just a liar then people will stop trying to do the right thing and slowly become the vigilantes we all claim to dislike so much. If you keep kicking good people for long enough the good people will eventually kick back...honestly.

Well said!

I'd have done more than grab him by his shirt! Try shooting them in the leg, back & face then I'd drive the little **** to the middle of nowhere.

Bullies deserve to be treated like criminals. Scumbags.

Smanf!, a legend in his own little mind. What would you shoot them with ? Your peashooter, or your catapult Dirty Harry.


Spelling is much better though, a little gold star for you me thinks.

"when you gotta shoot, shoot, dont talk"...............
........Tuco !!