Dog held in custody
RE: Drax Protests - 31st Aug 2006
I am writing this after a very long day.
Today I went down to Drax power station (near Selby) with my camera
gear,
to take photographs of the demonstration.
I arrived at the station at around 6am. I went with my dog too.
I was asked by several police to get out and search my car. Which I
did no
problem.
In the boot of the car had lots of old diy tools as I was given
them
when my uncle died. A policeman pulled it all out and lay it on the
floor.
Some items scattered on the road.
He told me that I would be arrested if I took any photographs and said
he would instruct other police to arrest me. I told him I believed
that he was wrong and that I was free to take the shots.
He got angry and told me to put the items back in the car.
I noticed my uncles pocket knife which I picked up and put it in my
pocket
to save it being damaged. To be honest I did this automatically as I
use them a lot in my life. Often I have one when I go sailing, and
also use them to open dv tape boxes and so on.
I was then told I would be searched, so I said no problems as ll I had
what the pocket fold up knife and my switch card.
I was then told I would be arrested. To be honest I thought he was
just having a joke. This was until I had the cuffs put on.
I was then placed into a van. Then they dicided to put me into a car.
They
let me take the dog in the car. I had to leave my car with £5000 worth
of camera gear in the boot.
At the police station they put my dog into a dog cell (Selby
police station) which clearly stressed him out.
At the station I gave my details, fingerprints and DNA. To be honest I
did
not mind doing this as thought at least if I ever get killed its
going to be easer to find me.
But then I was placed in the cells. This was about 6.30am.
I was locked up with no shoes. Just sat in a small cell. In truth this
was
the most disturbing thing that I had ever experienced. I felt that I
had lost all rights and freedom.
I was there till 11am. I was feeling rather sick and stressed out. I
feared for my dog and also feared if my car got broke into.
I was then interviewed. I declined a solicitor. Maybe it was foolish,
but I feel only someone who needs to create a story needs a solicitor.
I had nothing to hide.
I explained what I had done. They informed me that the policeman had
said "its a lock knife mate". I was shocked as for a start I had no
idea what type of knife it was, and I have never called anyone mate in
my life. To be honest I did not think a 3" fold up fishing knife (its
for fishing)
was illegal. I pointed out that my record was clean and to be honest the
only reason I was nicked was to stop me taking photographs.
I was then taken back to the cells.
After a short period I was informed that they would investigate
further and to report to York police station on Sept 6th.
I then had to walk about 8 miles back to my car (at Drax power
station). It was around 1pm. My feet were bleeding from walking so
far. At least it gave the dog a good walk.
When I arrived ITN and a few other stations were filming, so clearly
the no filming rule had been drooped. I managed to take some shots
too.
So now I am home and rather upset from being arrested.
I do not for a moment believe that the police will take my word over
one of there officers. But to be honest I now feel that we have less
rights than people did under the old USSR system.
I have lost faith in the law. I sawe today an abuse of police power. I
know if I did not have the camera gear I would never been charged.
I find it microwavable that its a crime to transport in my car a
pocket knife along with other tools. On this basis I suspect that I
will be
radid
as I have knives and forks in the house.
So I write this, not to seek help. But to simply state that today I
witnessed police abuse. England is no longer a safe place for me to
live. I now fear the police powers for more than any criminal or
barrister. I shall start to pack my things together as I now wish to
leave this
country
to one that is honest and fair.
Sincerely,
Adam Hamilton Blake
Ps
I made it to the news:
BBC
News A man
arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon on Friday
morning was being questioned and the remainder had been released on
bail.