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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think you should be able to have a quiet drink in a pub without being strip searched?

93 replies

WhiteTrash · 05/10/2011 19:10

My brother was with some friends in a local pub when police burst in for a drugs raid. All the males were taken in to the male toilets and strip searched. Right down to squatting and being asked to pull his bum cheeks apart. The girls were taken by female officers into the female cubicles but my brother doesnt know the extent if their search.

My brother and his friends had nothing on them (they only went in for a quiet pint) and no arrests were made.

I was shocked when I heard, I couldnt believe my brother had to do that. I felt the police were BU. My mum seems to think fairs fair and if the police need to raid, they need to raid. Its just a bummer (no pun intended) that my brother was there at the time.

What do you think?

OP posts:
booyhoo · 05/10/2011 19:30

armageddon did they strip search everyone entering the festival or did they just not like the look of your friend? (genuine question)

StrandedBear · 05/10/2011 19:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
WhiteTrash · 05/10/2011 19:31

Boohoo. Honestly I dont know all that. But I didnt say it was in front of one another, Id like to think it wasnt! But I really dont know.

OP posts:
ArmageddonOuttahere · 05/10/2011 19:33

Apparently they had police dogs sniffing the entire queue. Bloke behind my mate had some weed in his bag but the dog sat down by her instead. Cue her being hoiked off to a tent and strip-searched.

Would that have counted as in 'police custody'? I wouldn't have thought so, tbh.

kneesofnorks · 05/10/2011 19:33

I was in a pub that was subject to a drugs raid recently- there were officers on every door (including to the cellar and kitchen) they surrounded all those outside as well and the sniffer dog merrily made its way round the place, they did search a couple of blokes but literally a turn out your pockets and pat down scenario, both were arrested and taken out but nothing like your OP claims happened..........

ArmageddonOuttahere · 05/10/2011 19:34

PS this 'mate' wasn't me Grin

Wink
malinois · 05/10/2011 19:35

OP have you seen the paperwork that the police gave him after the search? He should have got a copy of the warrant (with his name on it) and a complete search form.

Original poster
WhiteTrash · 05/10/2011 19:36

Both were arrested? I dont expect they needed to search them any further (at that point) they found something on them already I assume.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhiteTrash · 05/10/2011 19:37

Malinois, no paper work was mentioned. Will text him and ask.

OP posts:
booyhoo · 05/10/2011 19:38

armageddon, the tent could have been a police custody tent set up at the venue. i know they do that at some big festivals so it could very well have been 'in custody' in your friend's case.

LeBOF · 05/10/2011 19:39

I am so glad I don't go to pubs.

garlicScaresVampires · 05/10/2011 19:40

Either it didn't happen or he could have a nice damages claim on the way.
Armageddon, the tent may well have been a police station - how else could they operate at a festivel?

I'm surprised to hear they did that, though they could spend the entire festival strip-searching drug carriers!

Original poster
WhiteTrash · 05/10/2011 19:41

Ive just text him and asked if he was given any paper work or a choice whether he was searched. Although he can take days to reply, if at all so I dont know if I'll get an answer.

OP posts:
garlicScaresVampires · 05/10/2011 19:42

he can take days to reply

stoned?

(sorry)

Grin
ArmageddonOuttahere · 05/10/2011 19:45

s'pose so garlic & booy. I'm just bloody glad I always got away with it never did something so foolhardy.

booyhoo · 05/10/2011 19:45

Grin @ garlic

TheCrackFox · 05/10/2011 19:47

Were they really the police or a bunch of pervs wearing police outfits?

garlicScaresVampires · 05/10/2011 19:48

Ooh, I'm LIKING that theory, CrackFox Grin

Original poster
WhiteTrash · 05/10/2011 19:50

Pretty much Garlic.

OP posts:
AuntiePickleBottom · 05/10/2011 19:52

The officer can ask you to take off more
than an outer coat, jacket or gloves,
and anything you wear for religious
reasons, such as a face scarf, veil or
turban, but only if they take
you somewhere out of public view. You
can ask that the officer who searches
you is the same sex as you. It does not
mean you are being arrested.

www.apa.police.uk/Admin/uploads/attachment/docs/public/Public_Campaigns/Know_Your_Rights/Stop_and_Search_-_Nov_2010.pdf

booyhoo · 05/10/2011 19:54

auntiepicklebottom. 'the officer can ask' does that mean you have to comply though if you aren't actually under arrest?

Original poster
WhiteTrash · 05/10/2011 20:02

Tbf some police officers arent always known for being nicr and polite and clear the person has a choice when they're trying to get the job done. So that doesnt surprise me.

He has just replied though, he said he was given no paper work, he was not informed he had a choice and he felt 'violated lol'.

Ive never, ever known him to lie, he has a heart of gold I really believe him. There may have been more to it (not sure what?) but I believe him.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhiteTrash · 05/10/2011 20:03

He said they had a warrant but no paper work was given to him about/for hos search.

OP posts:
AuntiePickleBottom · 05/10/2011 20:06

if he didn't do it in the pub toilets, he could of got arrested and taking to the station to be searched, then he would be forced to have his dna taken and a mug shot.

really you have no choice

Dawndonna · 05/10/2011 20:06

Unless they had a warrant, with his name on it, what they did was illegal.
I suspect the warrant had the name of the pub and nothing else.