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> As per the article, of the some 12,000 arrests or warning per recent years, only some 1,100 resulted in a sentence. That's actually a troubling statistic. I

> As per the article, of the some 12,000 arrests or warning per recent years, only some 1,100 resulted in a sentence. That's actually a troubling statistic. It implies that the police are throwing their weight around on flimsy legal grounds -- as an intimidation tactic -- or are coercing "settlements" outside the court system.

bigfatkitten 2y ago
There are an infinite number of reasons why a charge might not get up. Complainant decides not to proceed, prosecutors decline to run it due to insufficient evidence, or the police screw up and let the statute of limitations lapse.
- A_D_E_P_T 2y ago
  In each individual case, sure. But when literally >90% of arrests don't lead to convictions, that's indicative of an overall trend which says something about the nature and utility of those arrests.
- mytailorisrich 2y ago
  There is no such thing as "pressing charges" in the UK. Especially in cases of online comments the evidence is basically available online so once it is reported it is for the police to decide on arrests then for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to charge. My feeling is that the police has become quick to arrest.
watwut 2y ago
No, it suggests courts are doing their thing. There is no reason for warnings to turn into sentences. The whole point of warning is to avoid sentence. The super high convincing rates America has are because accused have no real lawful protection.
- fauigerzigerk 2y ago
  >No, it suggests courts are doing their thing. How so? The courts are not even involved in most of these cases. Arresting people, knowing they will never get charged is not an appropriate form of warning in my view. It's intimidation.
- prohobo 2y ago
  "Police are harrassing the lower and middle class with frightening and coercive measures on behalf of the political elite. Here's why that's a good thing..."

bigfatkitten 2y ago

There are an infinite number of reasons why a charge might not get up. Complainant decides not to proceed, prosecutors decline to run it due to insufficient evidence, or the police screw up and let the statute of limitations lapse.

A_D_E_P_T 2y ago
In each individual case, sure. But when literally >90% of arrests don't lead to convictions, that's indicative of an overall trend which says something about the nature and utility of those arrests.
mytailorisrich 2y ago
There is no such thing as "pressing charges" in the UK. Especially in cases of online comments the evidence is basically available online so once it is reported it is for the police to decide on arrests then for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to charge. My feeling is that the police has become quick to arrest.

watwut 2y ago

No, it suggests courts are doing their thing. There is no reason for warnings to turn into sentences. The whole point of warning is to avoid sentence. The super high convincing rates America has are because accused have no real lawful protection.

fauigerzigerk 2y ago
>No, it suggests courts are doing their thing. How so? The courts are not even involved in most of these cases. Arresting people, knowing they will never get charged is not an appropriate form of warning in my view. It's intimidation.
prohobo 2y ago
"Police are harrassing the lower and middle class with frightening and coercive measures on behalf of the political elite. Here's why that's a good thing..."