BearOnWheels wrote:Two points:-
When pulled over like this (or indeed anytime you are stopped by the police), always ask under what piece of legislation you are being stopped or what offence you are being charged with. If they can't name it or can't tell you, you are perfectly within your rights to say 'well, unless there was anything else, I'm off then'. You are a citizen going about your lawful business; (alright the terrorism legislation is different, but I don't think that is in this league)
Complain: in writing to the Police force. Check the website and follow the requirements down to the letter. As much detail as you can, weather, road conditions, what you were wearing (or not).Its really important that this sort of bullying ( and thats what it is) is stopped and the officers concerned given 'words of advice'. Abuse of legal powers is a serious matter.
I wonder is it worth CTC getting some advice from Liberty on this sort of thing? A set of standard advice would be very useful!
Perhaps they could come up with an advice sheet/card we could carry. Photographers have had to do this, in order to deal with police officers who are, ahem, exceeding their powers.