How to stay legal when going along to watch a riot?

[Somewhatfoolish]

My friend, who likes looking at things, is interested in watching these riots if they continue. He remembers the 2011 riots which he also went along to watch, but while there was lots of phone photography back then it wasn't the saturation level it is now and thus he has to assume he'll be on film. So how can he do this without becoming part of the riot?

Obviously, don't join in or shout encouragement or whatever. But what is it that the press, police, citizen journalists, or just curious bystanders need to do to ensure that they are not doing anything illegal?

[Ozone]

User name checks out

[Super Sonic]

"My friend" "Who likes looking at things"
Rofl

[Sebring440]

Tell "your friend" to watch on TV.

[ChocolateFrog]

Film everything like everyone else seems to do.

[Semmelweiss]

Riot-Dogging

[BertBert]

What a stupid idea.

[stlol]

Semmelweiss said:

Riot-Dogging

[Somewhatfoolish]

BertBert said:

What a stupid idea.

My friend argues that everyone is different. Some of us study history. Some of us are too thick to study history, so make it and get imprisoned for four years for stealing a milkshake from Iceland. But a very small number of us are too lazy to study history and have too much to lose from rioting and in any case don't like milkshakes, so want to watch it being made. But don't fancy four years for standing around watching either.

I can relay your comments to my friend. But I know that he remains interested in how to stay on the right side of the law. The journalists aren't getting arrested so there must be a way.

[Blue62]

Somewhatfoolish said:

My friend argues that everyone is different. Some of us study history. Some of us are too thick to study history, so make it and get imprisoned for four years for stealing a milkshake from Iceland. But a very small number of us are too lazy to study history and have too much to lose from rioting and in any case don't like milkshakes, so want to watch it being made. But don't fancy four years for standing around watching either.

I can relay your comments to my friend. But I know that he remains interested in how to stay on the right side of the law. The journalists aren't getting arrested so there must be a way.

The journalists are there to report, they carry a press pass. Bizarre.

[Drumroll]

Somewhatfoolish said:

My friend argues that everyone is different. Some of us study history. Some of us are too thick to study history, so make it and get imprisoned for four years for stealing a milkshake from Iceland. But a very small number of us are too lazy to study history and have too much to lose from rioting and in any case don't like milkshakes, so want to watch it being made. But don't fancy four years for standing around watching either.

I can relay your comments to my friend. But I know that he remains interested in how to stay on the right side of the law. The journalists aren't getting arrested so there must be a way.

Simple answer don't go.

Rioting is not classed as a spectator sport, if you are there you are playing.

[TownIdiot]

I am pretty sure you can legally hang around unless you are issued with a dispersal order.

I was in Manchester city centre on Saturday and even though it was small beer compared to the events elsewhere it wasn't really a pleasant place to be. The actual demonstration was small and peaceful but the station, pubs and streets nearby were not pleasant and I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to come a cropper.

If there was a full on riot I could imagine it would be very easy to get your collar felt on a wrong place wrong time basis or just generally get caught in the crossfire.

[Pica-Pica]

Don’t go, so you don’t become part of the problem. It’s not entertainment. It all just makes Britain look stupid, very stupid.

[FMOB]

Pica-Pica said:

Don’t go, so you don’t become part of the problem. It’s not entertainment. It all just makes Britain look stupid, very stupid.

This, it is a very unpredictable situation and your friend is quite likely to get a much closer look than intended. He should be more concerned about his safety rather than being legal.

As they say, curiosity killed the cat!

Let us know what happens so we can nominate him for a Darwin Award.

Edited by FMOB on Tuesday 6th August 00:25

[911hope]

Somewhatfoolish said:

My friend, who likes looking at things, is interested in watching these riots if they continue. He remembers the 2011 riots which he also went along to watch, but while there was lots of phone photography back then it wasn't the saturation level it is now and thus he has to assume he'll be on film. So how can he do this without becoming part of the riot?

Obviously, don't join in or shout encouragement or whatever. But what is it that the press, police, citizen journalists, or just curious bystanders need to do to ensure that they are not doing anything illegal?

Have a look in the mirror at "your friend" and ask why you would want to go and watch some violence? Ask yourself if you are actually supporting the violent criminal behaviour. The answer is that you certainly would be.

[James6112]

Show your friend this :-

https://youtu.be/SI3XzOHQgJk?si=tRjISXFEwpgzaKOh

[Terminator X]

I'd stay well away. The rozzers will just arrest anyone in the vicinity.

TX.

[QuickQuack]

FMOB said:

Pica-Pica said:

Don’t go, so you don’t become part of the problem. It’s not entertainment. It all just makes Britain look stupid, very stupid.

This, it is a very unpredictable situation and your friend is quite likely to get a much closer look than intended. He should be more concerned about his safety rather than being legal.

As they say, curiosity killed the cat!

Let us know what happens so we can nominate him for a Darwin Award.

Edited by FMOB on Tuesday 6th August 00:25

Agreed. Your simple presence there adds to the problem as it increases the volume of the crowd, which gives more validation to the rioters whether you support them or not, consequently making the job of the police more difficult. Genuine reporters and press have passes, more kit than mobile phones as their recording tools and often wear identifying clothes, even in war zones with their flak jackets. In my opinion, anybody at the riot zones should be arrested and charged. If you're not part of the riot, what the hell are you doing there? Normal, sensible people wouldn't want to be in the middle of or near violent clashes. Even if you're not actively attacking, you're hindering policing effectiveness and increasing manpower requirements due to swelling the numbers in the crowd. Perhaps we need an amendment to the legislation so that, if it doesn't already, joint enterprise can apply to rioting and to parties who may not necessarily know each other or have planned to take part in a misdemeanour. And yes, I'd include those foolish enough to be spectating too.

[Somewhatfoolish]

James6112 said:

Show your friend this :-

https://youtu.be/SI3XzOHQgJk?si=tRjISXFEwpgzaKOh

That's exactly the sort of reason my friend would like to go. To see that sort of thing.

Perhaps the best thing to do is take a high vantage point a few hundred metres away, if the area allows? This makes it very clear one is not involved in the riot in any sense whatsoever, and also doesn't add to policing difficulties / accidentally give the impression of support?

[lancslad58]

Somewhatfoolish said:

James6112 said:

Show your friend this :-

https://youtu.be/SI3XzOHQgJk?si=tRjISXFEwpgzaKOh

That's exactly the sort of reason my friend would like to go. To see that sort of thing.

Perhaps the best thing to do is take a high vantage point a few hundred metres away, if the area allows? This makes it very clear one is not involved in the riot in any sense whatsoever, and also doesn't add to policing difficulties / accidentally give the impression of support?

Has "your friend" given up on the Loyalist Bonfires?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...