The Metropolitan police have admitted that a 13-year-old boy playing with a water pistol was rammed off his bike by armed police, knocked to the ground and officers pointed their submachine guns at him.

The Met has apologised for the incident, in which the boy was also handcuffed, which happened in broad daylight in Hackney, east London, in July.

The mother of the boy, who has not been named said she and her family had been left “broken” by the trauma and felt insulted by an officer who called her “aggressive” at the scene. One officer claimed her son had been lucky.

The Met accepts the boy, who is black, suffered trauma. His mother said his race led to his treatment by armed officers and brief arrest on suspicion of having a firearm.

The Met said it was called to a report of a gun in the street and was obliged under policy to treat all firearms as dangerous until proven otherwise. It said no misconduct issues had been identified.

The boy had been playing near his home with a blue plastic water pistol with his sister, who had a pink one.

At 3.45pm on Wednesday 9 July police say an officer “saw a male on a bicycle pointing what was believed to be a handgun at a young girl”. Armed officers were called, with two armed response vehicles attending the scene.

The Met said: “Specialist officers are trained on specific tactics including using vehicles to bring cyclists to a stop. This tactic was used in this case, causing the boy to fall off his bike.

“Firearms officers left the car and he was handcuffed and detained. It quickly became clear that he was not in possession of a firearm. He was de-arrested at the scene. In subsequent inquiries, his family confirmed he had earlier been playing with a toy water gun.”

The child recalls seeing the red dots from the police firearms as the guns were pointed at him.

Once the armed officers had knocked him to the ground, a neighbour brought his mother, who protested to police.

The boy’s family want his identity protected, which they believe will increase his chances of recovery. His mother said: “It has been a deeply traumatic experience for him, for me, and for our family as a whole.

“The attitude of the police to him – and to me – is shown up in the words of the senior officer at the scene when I protested to him about the conduct of his officers: he told me I was lucky that they had not arrested my son.

“For what? For playing with a brightly coloured plastic water gun with his younger sibling on the streets behind our home? For being a black boy on the streets of Hackney?

“I know – and the police know – that they would not have treated my son in the way they did if he had been a white 13-year-old boy.

“I know that they would not have treated me with the contempt shown towards me or described me as ‘aggressive’ if I was not black.

“After what has happened, how can I ever tell [my children] that they can turn to the police for help? I feel broken by it all; distraught because I was not able to protect my child from what happened.”

DCS James Conway, who in charge of policing for Hackney, said: “This incident was understandably extremely distressing for the boy involved as well as the rest of his family.

“We know it may cause public concern and we want to help the public understand why we responded in the way we did. … I apologised soon afterwards to his family.”

Lee Jasper of the Alliance for Police Accountability said: “This case has huge implications and poses serious questions for the mayor and the London Policing Board, in addition for the Met Commissioner and Hackney, the borough that saw the Child Q scandal [where a black girl was strip-searched in school].

“Adultification of Black children continues to be an increasing aspect of systemic and institutionalised police racism.”

Conway said: “Support has been made available to the boy and his family through our partners. We have also agreed to a review of the safeguarding support offered, led by our independently chaired safeguarding children partnership, in order to learn any lessons from the incident.”

Raju Bhatt, a family solicitor, said the police watchdog had twice failed to investigate this case despite it twice being referred to them.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/19/met-rammed-boy-13-playing-with-water-pistol-off-bike-and-pointed-guns-at-him

On 19/10/2023 11:32 am, Simon Mason wrote:
> The Metropolitan police have admitted that a 13-year-old boy playing with a water pistol was rammed off his bike by armed police, knocked to the ground and officers pointed their submachine guns at him.
>
> The Met has apologised for the incident, in which the boy was also handcuffed, which happened in broad daylight in Hackney, east London, in July.
>
> The mother of the boy, who has not been named said she and her family had been left “broken” by the trauma and felt insulted by an officer who called her “aggressive” at the scene. One officer claimed her son had been lucky.
>
> The Met accepts the boy, who is black, suffered trauma. His mother said his race led to his treatment by armed officers and brief arrest on suspicion of having a firearm.
>
> The Met said it was called to a report of a gun in the street and was obliged under policy to treat all firearms as dangerous until proven otherwise. It said no misconduct issues had been identified.
>
> The boy had been playing near his home with a blue plastic water pistol with his sister, who had a pink one.
>
> At 3.45pm on Wednesday 9 July police say an officer “saw a male on a bicycle pointing what was believed to be a handgun at a young girl”. Armed officers were called, with two armed response vehicles attending the scene.
>
> The Met said: “Specialist officers are trained on specific tactics including using vehicles to bring cyclists to a stop. This tactic was used in this case, causing the boy to fall off his bike.
>
> “Firearms officers left the car and he was handcuffed and detained. It quickly became clear that he was not in possession of a firearm. He was de-arrested at the scene. In subsequent inquiries, his family confirmed he had earlier been playing with a toy water gun.”
>
> The child recalls seeing the red dots from the police firearms as the guns were pointed at him.
>
> Once the armed officers had knocked him to the ground, a neighbour brought his mother, who protested to police.
>
> The boy’s family want his identity protected, which they believe will increase his chances of recovery. His mother said: “It has been a deeply traumatic experience for him, for me, and for our family as a whole.
>
> “The attitude of the police to him – and to me – is shown up in the words of the senior officer at the scene when I protested to him about the conduct of his officers: he told me I was lucky that they had not arrested my son.
>
> “For what? For playing with a brightly coloured plastic water gun with his younger sibling on the streets behind our home? For being a black boy on the streets of Hackney?
>
> “I know – and the police know – that they would not have treated my son in the way they did if he had been a white 13-year-old boy.
>
> “I know that they would not have treated me with the contempt shown towards me or described me as ‘aggressive’ if I was not black.
>
> “After what has happened, how can I ever tell [my children] that they can turn to the police for help? I feel broken by it all; distraught because I was not able to protect my child from what happened.”
>
> DCS James Conway, who in charge of policing for Hackney, said: “This incident was understandably extremely distressing for the boy involved as well as the rest of his family.
>
> “We know it may cause public concern and we want to help the public understand why we responded in the way we did. … I apologised soon afterwards to his family.”
>
> Lee Jasper of the Alliance for Police Accountability said: “This case has huge implications and poses serious questions for the mayor and the London Policing Board, in addition for the Met Commissioner and Hackney, the borough that saw the Child Q scandal [where a black girl was strip-searched in school].
>
> “Adultification of Black children continues to be an increasing aspect of systemic and institutionalised police racism.”
>
> Conway said: “Support has been made available to the boy and his family through our partners. We have also agreed to a review of the safeguarding support offered, led by our independently chaired safeguarding children partnership, in order to learn any lessons from the incident.”
>
> Raju Bhatt, a family solicitor, said the police watchdog had twice failed to investigate this case despite it twice being referred to them.
>
> https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/19/met-rammed-boy-13-playing-with-water-pistol-off-bike-and-pointed-guns-at-him

An ounce of prevention, and all that.

QUOTE: “For what? For playing with a brightly coloured plastic water gun with his younger sibling on the streets behind our home?ENDS

Wasn't there a recent case where some idiot said that soaking people on a bike ride was just a harmless prank by a few young kids?

On 19/10/2023 04:15 pm, Simon Mason wrote:

> QUOTE: “For what? For playing with a brightly coloured plastic water gun with his younger sibling on the streets behind our home?ENDS
>
> Wasn't there a recent case where some idiot said that soaking people on a bike ride was just a harmless prank by a few young kids?

Did the plastic water pistols squirted at the chavs on their chav-bikes
look like real weapons?

Or wasn't the real issue that their imaginary "dignity" had been pricked?

On Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 4:15:22 PM UTC+1, Simon Mason wrote:
> QUOTE: “For what? For playing with a brightly coloured plastic water gun with his younger sibling on the streets behind our home?ENDS
>
> Wasn't there a recent case where some idiot said that soaking people on a bike ride was just a harmless prank by a few young kids?

QUOTE: Speaking to Edinburgh Live, the mum explained that it was their first time joining the special day and it meant a lot being the 75th anniversary. They were enjoying themselves in the back of the cab, her son with a customary water pistol with which to target passersby in the spirit of the day.. But one cyclist took umbrage.

The mum said: "Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to the public. While travelling on the bridges, a cyclist was forced to come onto the pavement to let the taxis pass. In the name of fun, as the day is all about, she got a little bit wet, she was furious and proceeded to hit the taxi and ram her bike into it. ENDS

LUCKY THEY WERE NOT SHOT, EH?

On 19/10/2023 04:26 pm, Simon Mason wrote:

> On Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 4:15:22 PM UTC+1, Simon Mason wrote:

>> QUOTE: “For what? For playing with a brightly coloured plastic water gun with his younger sibling on the streets behind our home?ENDS
>>
>> Wasn't there a recent case where some idiot said that soaking people on a bike ride was just a harmless prank by a few young kids?
>
> QUOTE: Speaking to Edinburgh Live, the mum explained that it was their first time joining the special day and it meant a lot being the 75th anniversary. They were enjoying themselves in the back of the cab, her son with a customary water pistol with which to target passersby in the spirit of the day. But one cyclist took umbrage.

Well... she would, wouldn't she?

Her "dignity" and pomposity had been pricked by a child with a toy water
pistol.
>
> The mum said: "Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to the public.

Especially when the relevant section of "the public" is chav-cyclists.

> While travelling on the bridges, a cyclist was forced to come onto the pavement to let the taxis pass.

Well, that's her opinion. The chav=-cyclist could and should have stayed
OFF the footway.

> In the name of fun, as the day is all about, she got a little bit wet, she was furious and proceeded to hit the taxi and ram her bike into it. ENDS

Criminal damage. Could be expensive.

> LUCKY THEY WERE NOT SHOT, EH?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT (ASSUMING YOU KNOW)?

QUOTE:

"A CYCLIST has hit out at the "young cub" who threw water at him from a moving car, warning such behaviour could result in serious injury or worse.

Danny Browne, who is chairman of long-established racing group Lakeland Cycle Club, said he was out riding on Sunday morning on the Enniskillen to Irvinestown road when the car passed and the water was thrown on him. Police have confirmed they have called to and spoken with the motorist involved in the incident.

Speaking to the Herald, Danny said such incidents were sadly not uncommon, and were proving dangerous

"From the response I've got on Facebook, things like this seem to be happening quite often," he said. "I know that a lot of my friends get abused, shouted at and so on. Things like this have certainly happened others before, but they weren't quick enough to get a registration number." ENDS

On 19/10/2023 05:08 pm, Simon Mason wrote:

> QUOTE:
> "A CYCLIST has hit out at the "young cub" who threw water at him from a moving car, warning such behaviour could result in serious injury or worse.

Oh, grow up!
>
> Danny Browne, who is chairman of long-established racing group Lakeland Cycle Club, said he was out riding on Sunday morning on the Enniskillen to Irvinestown road when the car passed and the water was thrown on him. Police have confirmed they have called to and spoken with the motorist involved in the incident.

What does it have to do with the "motorist" (they must mean the driver,
but prefer Wind in the Willows language)?

> Speaking to the Herald, Danny said such incidents were sadly not uncommon, and were proving dangerous

We all know that chav-cyclists are terrified of water (unless it's being
served free of charge at a country pub on the basis that they are
"customers").

Quite apart from their hydrophobia, they don't like their incredible
pomposity being pricked.

> "From the response I've got on Facebook, things like this seem to be happening quite often," he said. "I know that a lot of my friends get abused, shouted at and so on. Things like this have certainly happened others before, but they weren't quick enough to get a registration number." ENDS

Water thrown or squirted by a child!

Get a grip for God's sake!

Teenagers have been terrorising town with water pistols, firing at people including a three-week-old baby and attempting to rob a teenage girl.

It was reported on Facebook that a girl walking down Millgate ion Newark yesterday was targeted by a group of 15 to 16-year-olds.

The teenagers were said to have squirted the girl with water pistols and attempted to steal her bag, phone and sunglasses whilst filming her.

Her mother posted on Facebook: “ Luckily she managed to run away unhurt but how terrifying for her!
Recommended by

“In the group some of them had swim vests on and there were a couple of girls in the group too. I’m so angry.

“Where are their parents, police don’t seem to be bothered either.”

Town and district councillor David Moore was also a victim, and said he was squirted by a girl and a boy around the age of 12.

“I saw the teenagers splashing water with those massive water pistols and I told them to stop,” he said.

“They asked me – What do you want? – And then they pointed at me and soaked me before running away.

“This anti-social behaviour has been reported, now we will have to leave the authorities deal with it.”

Additionally, it was reported that the teenagers aimed at a three-week-old baby in its pram near NatWest Bank in the Market Place around 12.20pm yesterday.

The cases have been reported to the police.

On 19/10/2023 06:37 pm, Simon Mason wrote:

> Teenagers have been terrorising town with water pistols, firing at people including a three-week-old baby and attempting to rob a teenage girl.
>
> It was reported on Facebook that a girl walking down Millgate ion Newark yesterday was targeted by a group of 15 to 16-year-olds.
>
> The teenagers were said to have squirted the girl with water pistols and attempted to steal her bag, phone and sunglasses whilst filming her.
>
> Her mother posted on Facebook: “ Luckily she managed to run away unhurt but how terrifying for her!
> Recommended by
>
> “In the group some of them had swim vests on and there were a couple of girls in the group too. I’m so angry.
>
> “Where are their parents, police don’t seem to be bothered either.”
>
> Town and district councillor David Moore was also a victim, and said he was squirted by a girl and a boy around the age of 12.
>
> “I saw the teenagers splashing water with those massive water pistols and I told them to stop,” he said.
>
> “They asked me – What do you want? – And then they pointed at me and soaked me before running away.
>
> “This anti-social behaviour has been reported, now we will have to leave the authorities deal with it.”
>
> Additionally, it was reported that the teenagers aimed at a three-week-old baby in its pram near NatWest Bank in the Market Place around 12.20pm yesterday.
>
> The cases have been reported to the police.

Why are you so frightened of sprays of water?

Is it because there might be some soap in there too?

For most Londoners, the idea of a stranger stalking them at their home and work, maybe while carrying a gun, is the ultimate nightmare. But as of today, around 150 people in the city have volunteered to endure just that - all in the name of fun.

Police have warned players taking part in the first British version of 'Street Wars' - a role-playing game in which participants hunt down and "assassinate" targets while themselves being targeted by others - could spark panic in a city already jittery about possible terrorist attacks.

In a stern statement, British transport police (BTP) labelled participants "irresponsible", saying the sight of someone brandishing a water pistol - the weapon of choice in Street Wars - could cause "genuine fear".

Street Wars, described as a "three-week long, 24/7, watergun assassination tournament", began in the US in 2004, with the London event being the seventh in all, and the second in Europe.

Those who signed up received a manila envelope earlier this week containing a picture of their first "target", along with details such as their home and business addresses.

Working alone or as part of a team, players must "kill" a target by squirting them with a water pistol or soaking them with a water balloon. A successful hit means a player inherits their victim's target, with the eventual winner being whoever retrieves the envelope containing their own details.

"You can hunt your target down any way you see fit; you can pose as a delivery person and jack them when they open the door, disguise yourself and take them out on the street, etc," the Street Wars website says.

Certain areas are considered "safe zones", such as a player's workplace, buses and bars - but not tube stations.

The BTP warned players that London's public transport network was "not the place for this sort of activity".

"Those thinking of taking part should consider that they may be committing criminal offences and are putting themselves and others in danger," said Superintendent Bob Pacey.

"The sight of people carrying what appears to a be a firearm on the London Underground system, one year after the tragic events of July 2005 will cause passengers and staff genuine fear," the force warned.

"Calls to the police may lead to disruption to services and the deployment of armed officers. Any offences committed will be treated seriously."

Scotland Yard added its own caution, saying some water pistols can "look very real", potentially prompting a major alert.

Despite this hint of real danger, the rules of Street Wars make it plain that this is a far cry from the real world of crime.

For example, would-be assassins are informed when their target leaves London, and players are urged not to spend too long away from the capital.

"If you need to run some business trips out of town for a few days this is fine," the website notes.

"But if you need to be going for a whole week during the game, then you would be disqualified."

Already posted:

Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2023 03:38:13 -0700 (PDT)

From: "swldx...@gmail.com" <swldxer1958@gmail.com>

In-Reply-To: <ee8d0645-46ac-452d-9fd7-e403a6772b27n@googlegroups.com>

Injection-Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2023 10:38:14 +0000

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<ee8d0645-46ac-452d-9fd7-e403a6772b27n@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Moment Edinburgh cyclist loses it when splashed with water on
Taxi Outing
User-Agent: G2/1.0

Simon Mason <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:

> For most Londoners, the idea of a stranger stalking them at their home
> and work, maybe while carrying a gun, is the ultimate nightmare. But as
> of today, around 150 people in the city have volunteered to endure just
> that - all in the name of fun.

--
Spike

Officers tackling anti-social behaviour in Swale are reminding people around the safe use of high-powered water guns.

Over the last month, neighbourhood officers have seen increased reports of incidents concerning water pistols.

On Thursday 22 June 2023, officers responded to the report of a group of teenagers using water guns to cause a nuisance at a bakery in Sittingbourne High Street. While the water caused no damage to staff, stock, or the property, the anti-social behaviour was disruptive to trade.

In other instances, water pistols being used in the area have caused alarm and distress after being mistaken for viable weapons. This has prompted reports of firearm concerns to Kent Police. Subsequent investigations take up valuable time and resources, which could be afforded to incidents posing a real risk to the public.
Advice

PS Ryan Chase, of the Swale Community Safety Unit, said:

‘We appreciate that the longer, hotter days and approaching summer holidays may see people engaging in water fights to cool off and have fun.‘Anyone choosing to use water guns should ensure that they are not intentionally, or unintentionally, causing alarm or upset to others. It is a criminal offence to cause public distress with imitation firearms, so water guns resembling viable weapons must only be used on private property and not in the public domain.‘If needs be, dispersal orders will be put in place to give officers more power to tackle anti-social behaviour and move groups on who continue to cause a nuisance.’

On 20/10/2023 07:53 am, Simon Mason wrote:

> For most Londoners, the idea of a stranger stalking them at their home and work, maybe while carrying a gun, is the ultimate nightmare. But as of today, around 150 people in the city have volunteered to endure just that - all in the name of fun.
>
> Police have warned players taking part in the first British version of 'Street Wars' - a role-playing game in which participants hunt down and "assassinate" targets while themselves being targeted by others - could spark panic in a city already jittery about possible terrorist attacks.
>
> In a stern statement, British transport police (BTP) labelled participants "irresponsible", saying the sight of someone brandishing a water pistol - the weapon of choice in Street Wars - could cause "genuine fear".

Only if the fearful observer is a chav-cyclist, surely?

Most other people aren't afraid of water. Or soap.

On 20/10/2023 11:36 am, Simon Mason wrote:
> Officers tackling anti-social behaviour in Swale are reminding people around the safe use of high-powered water guns.
>
> Over the last month, neighbourhood officers have seen increased reports of incidents concerning water pistols.
>
> On Thursday 22 June 2023, officers responded to the report of a group of teenagers using water guns to cause a nuisance at a bakery in Sittingbourne High Street. While the water caused no damage to staff, stock, or the property, the anti-social behaviour was disruptive to trade.
>
> In other instances, water pistols being used in the area have caused alarm and distress after being mistaken for viable weapons. This has prompted reports of firearm concerns to Kent Police. Subsequent investigations take up valuable time and resources, which could be afforded to incidents posing a real risk to the public.
> Advice
>
> PS Ryan Chase, of the Swale Community Safety Unit, said:
>
> ‘We appreciate that the longer, hotter days and approaching summer holidays may see people engaging in water fights to cool off and have fun.‘Anyone choosing to use water guns should ensure that they are not intentionally, or unintentionally, causing alarm or upset to others. It is a criminal offence to cause public distress with imitation firearms, so water guns resembling viable weapons must only be used on private property and not in the public domain.‘If needs be, dispersal orders will be put in place to give officers more power to tackle anti-social behaviour and move groups on who continue to cause a nuisance.’

Yebbut... squirting a chav on a bike with water doesn't count as a
"nuisance".

It's just a jolly jape.

It's so funny, I'll bet, to see the alarm on their faces while they
wonder whether there's any soap in the water.

Police officers have found water guns being mistaken for “viable weapons” as they are warning users to “cool off and have fun” responsibly.

Kent Police neighbourhood officers have seen a spike in water pistol-related incidents during the last month of warm weather, and are issuing a warning after anti-social behaviour with high-powered toys in Swale.

On Thursday June 22, a group of teenagers using water guns disrupted trade at a bakery in Sittingbourne High Street.

On other occasions, Kent Police said water pistols in the area have caused “alarm and distress” for being mistaken as real weapons, which has prompted firearms investigations by the force, “which take up valuable time and resources”.

Anyone choosing to use water guns should ensure that they are not intentionally, or unintentionally, causing alarm or upset to others

Police Sergeant Ryan Chase, from the Swale community safety unit, has told members of the public to only use water guns that look like weapons on private property and not in public, and that it is a criminal offence to cause public distress with imitation firearms.

He added: “We appreciate that the longer, hotter days and approaching summer holidays may see people engaging in water fights to cool off and have fun.

“Anyone choosing to use water guns should ensure that they are not intentionally, or unintentionally, causing alarm or upset to others…

“If needs be, dispersal orders will be put in place to give officers more power to tackle anti-social behaviour and move groups on who continue to cause a nuisance.”

Concerns about anti-social behaviour can be reported to Kent Police online or by calling 999 if a crime is in progress.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online.