Good God there are some stupid people about

[Parrot of Doom]

http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/safety-fears-stop-...

To cut a short story short, the police used to give stolen bikes to a charity, who cleaned them up and shipped them over to Africa. Now, the police are worried about liability, and so scrap the bikes instead.

Mind-boggling levels of idiocy.

[rocksteadyeddie]

Yet more tremendous news from this wonderful PC country. I just despair sometimes I really do.

I trust they will have reflectors and bells fitted before scrapping to ensure they are H&S compliant.

[308mate]

Isnt it just an example of the lengths we have to go to now to dodge ambulance chasers?

Dont hate the player, hate the game I think in this instance. Its a stupid consideration to have to make but one that in this day and age, still needs to be made.

[Jasandjules]

It's a very sad state of affairs.

[Morningside]

Pathitic! I just hope that any change of Government will put a stop of this stupid policy. But I cannot see that happening.


BTW: I broke a nail while typing this in anger. Do I claim via Haymarket?

[Chris_w666]

It seems that the less common sense you posess the more you are allowed into the world to make decisions that affect others.

[Balmoral Green]

But as ever with stories like this, about Health & Safety, Political correctness, liabilty and compensation etc, it is actually nothing to do with that, just the perception that it is.

It's pretty clear from reading the article that there isn't an issue as far as the charity is concerned, and there isn't an issue from other donaters either.

If a Jobsworth wants to cover his arse, fair enough, but it takes a particulalry stupid type of Jobsworth to cover his arse when there really isn't any requirement to do so, and then blame it on H&S etc.

The media fuels and perpetuates this sort of stupid belief, despite the H&S doing their best on their website to do a 'snopes' on a lot of it.

[Puggit]

I blame Bliar

Cherie Bliar

[loafer123]

On the Mitchell & Webb Sound comedy programme on Radio 4 they have the little old lady test where idiotic ideas are exposed with the shining truth of logic and common sense.

Last week's "Wedding Planner" one was a classic.

I think we should have Common Sense Panels who are the ultimate decision makers on stuff like this, otherwise we are sinking to lowest common denominator politics and decisions.

[7mike]

Couldn't the plod cover their arses by describing the bikes as spare parts, just unbolt a wheel or something when the charity comes to collect?

[Morningside]

loafer123 said:

On the Mitchell & Webb Sound comedy programme on Radio 4 they have the little old lady test where idiotic ideas are exposed with the shining truth of logic and common sense.

Last week's "Wedding Planner" one was a classic.

I think we should have Common Sense Panels who are the ultimate decision makers on stuff like this, otherwise we are sinking to lowest common denominator politics and decisions.

Please not more Quangos. Otherwise you will have local panels, district and higher panels with a new Government department to overlook the running and then you are back to square one.

All it really wants is someone in Council/Government to stand up when this is proposed and tell the other person to shut up and stop being stupid! Cost? Zero.

[Schmeeky]

At this point I was going to put in a really bad joke about bikes being 'recycled', but on reflecting thought that cranking out tyred old jokes might get me (handle)-barred...

...cue some mod coming along and saying I 'spoke' too soon.

[loafer123]

Morningside said:

loafer123 said:

On the Mitchell & Webb Sound comedy programme on Radio 4 they have the little old lady test where idiotic ideas are exposed with the shining truth of logic and common sense.

Last week's "Wedding Planner" one was a classic.

I think we should have Common Sense Panels who are the ultimate decision makers on stuff like this, otherwise we are sinking to lowest common denominator politics and decisions.

Please not more Quangos. Otherwise you will have local panels, district and higher panels with a new Government department to overlook the running and then you are back to square one.

All it really wants is someone in Council/Government to stand up when this is proposed and tell the other person to shut up and stop being stupid! Cost? Zero.

You're right, of course.

Even I, after 10 years of these wkers in office, have started talking PC.

Oh, st, that is seriously fking annoying. Ahhh. That's better.

[MartG]

Maybe someone should use their own weapons against them - point out that scrapping perfectly serviceable bikes doesn't help the environment as more bikes would then need to be manufactured

[FourWheelDrift]

Simple solution is to get the shippers/receivers to sign a liability waiver, but I guess they are too stupid to think of that.

[sa_20v]

I would like to suggest something even more stupid. I was reading up on the new 'Equality Act' today (as you do) and in one of the supporting papers the following was written under 'Why we need the Equality Bill':

Harriet Harman's Furthering Discrimination to Incite Racial Hatred Act 2009... said:

"6 out of 10 lesbian and gay schoolchildren experience homophobic bullying, and many contemplate suicide as a result."

How alarmist is this - just how many schoolchildren commit suicide after being called a raging homo? It's probably as likely as me pulling a balloon from my ass.

Link here if anyone wants to scoff, roll their eyes, and shudder at some truly weak reasoning for another lousy policy: http://www.equalities.gov.uk/PDF/GEO_A%20Fairer%20...

[BrassMan]

308mate said:

Isnt it just an example of the lengths we have to go to now to dodge ambulance chasers?

Dont hate the player, hate the game I think in this instance. Its a stupid consideration to have to make but one that in this day and age, still needs to be made.

It's not a new problem by a long way. Brittish railways are all enclosed because of the problem of numb nuts (or their animals) wandering over train lines and sueing the company when the consequences resolved. If I remember right, the biggest single cost of building a new line was legal representation to parliament.

[Pothole]

I'm giving some feedback to Hampshire Constabulary to let them know I think they're fking nuts to do this (using moderate language and reasoning of course).

anyone else who would like to do the same, try here:

http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/contact/yo...

[Uncle Fester]

Whatever happened to the old system?

The Police used to be allowed to auction off property that couldn’t be restored to the rightful owner. The proceeds then went to the public purse and presumably helped keep taxes down. (Mustn’t be cynical, mustn’t be.. Oh damn. )

Unless what is being given to the charity is the stuff that’s in such bad condition that it wouldn’t sell. I don’t see how it’s Police liability. Donate it as scrap bicycle components. If the charity assembles them and the resultant bicycle is no good then the liability is the charities.

[Eric Mc]

What specific piece of H & S law is being cited in this case?