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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think the police should’ve acted to stop this?

175 replies

OhhhPeee · 25/04/2020 14:57

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/police-hundreds-gather-manchester-funeral-18150043.amp

To sum up the article, a large group of mourners gathered for the funeral of a well-known local man in Manchester. Police did not stop them, despite them breaking the rules of lockdown, because “emotions were high.” Surely that’s the case at any funeral?

Amongst the mourners, an incident occurred where shots were fired and the shooter was subsequently stabbed in the face, perhaps suggesting that these particular mourners were a volatile bunch. AIBU to think that the police were simply too scared to stop these people? And that the message is that they are above the law?

It is particularly upsetting as so many law-abiding people are being forced to miss funerals at the moment.

OP posts:

Pickles89 · 25/04/2020 20:19

@Nicknacky

Drones dropping heavy duty stinkbombs.

Nicknacky · 25/04/2020 20:19

Pickles 😂😂That might actually work!

mrsBtheparker · 25/04/2020 20:21

the Police made the right call.

Really? Because it was a mob of threatening thugs? Maybe when my husband died at the start if the lockdown we too should have behaved like this and then I could have comforted and been comforted by my grandchildren, we would not have had to sit apart and have to wave them goodbye in the carpark of the Crematorium. The police should have taken whatever action necessary to break this up, certain groups think they can get away with anything and they're not wrong, are they?

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/04/2020 20:22

How much authority have GMP got with the public now, why should anyone obey lockdown?

I don't murder people for a whole lot of reasons. None of which are the punishments I might receive. Mostly people don't break the law because they respect the reasons for the law, not for fear of punishment. Policing by consent. These arseholes aren't respecting policing by consent. The time to teach that lesson isn't a funeral.

1forsorrow · 25/04/2020 20:22

So you actually have no idea about the decision making behind the planning for the organisations then? That clears that up. Well I was commenting on their not being enough officers and was explaining how it is possible. Might be a bit hard for you to understand but don't worry about it.

compassunreliable · 25/04/2020 20:23

I think it's possible to understand why the police took the decisions they did about this particular situation, but at the same time also be pissed off about them overreaching in other areas such as Easter eggs and shopping trolleys and public shaming videos on Twitter.

Just as it's possible to agree it was the least bad option but also be saddened at the unfairness of other families/loved ones being prevented from mourning when this group of people so publicly ignored those rules without consequence.

It's not one or the other.

Aridane · 25/04/2020 20:23

OP - YANBU

Nicknacky · 25/04/2020 20:23

I assume people know there isn’t actually a law that dictates how many people attend a funeral?

Nicknacky · 25/04/2020 20:25

1forsorrow Thankfully my understanding is perfect. Even posters who are not involved in policing or arranging staffing for events understand there is a bigger picture. It’s maybe something you should consider going forward?

compassunreliable · 25/04/2020 20:26

And frankly, going back to the thread title, the police can't even stop domestic violence by any given perpetrator, so expecting them to be able to stop this isn't realistic.

PotholeParadise · 25/04/2020 20:27

Well, we'll have to watch and find out how people in Manchester respond.

I think the negative publicity from intervening would have been worse than the publicity they will have now, and there would have been more injuries than there were, including to officers.

It will be tragic if paramedics and ambulances are also unavailable to respond if any of these fine upstanding members of the community develop Covid-19 in the weeks after attending the funeral.

1forsorrow · 25/04/2020 20:32

Thankfully my understanding is perfect. Oh well I don't think anyone realised we had perfection on the thread. Mind your head as you go through the door.

HeresMe · 25/04/2020 20:35

Whether you think they should have broke it up or not is irrelevant, The message being sent out is that if you are a criminal you don't have to distance as the law doesn't apply to you. And the message to the public is even worse.

If the police have fined anyone else in Manchester from Thursday onwards for not following the rules then that's an absolute disgrace.

AJPTaylor · 25/04/2020 20:37

The police made a decision based on facts and experience.

Choctimeout · 25/04/2020 20:38

Imagine if we based all decisons on this sort of reasoning.

Being invaded by another country, don't fight back, it will actually lead to more death and destruction. Just surrender.

Lougle · 25/04/2020 20:39

I'd be very scared if I was the driver of the car involved in the accident. The police will have considered everything every carefully.

Nicknacky · 25/04/2020 20:40

Choc So how would you have policed this if it’s that simple?

donquixotedelamancha · 25/04/2020 20:40

Police risk assessed the situation and stopping guests from attending this funeral is not worth the potential fights and violence from said low lives.

The problem with that argument is that while it may be the less risky strategy in the short term it is more risky in the long term because it creates a culture where being willing to use violence and intimidation is a successful strategy.

Littlebearstrousers · 25/04/2020 20:42

I don't think the whole of Manchester is now going to break lockdown because we think the police hold no power

I live in South Manchester and I will continue to stay in, as most people will I suspect.

I stay in to keep myself and others safe. Not to avoid getting into trouble with the police...is this not the case for most people? Or would you break the rules if you knew you wouldn't be caught??

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/04/2020 20:45

Being invaded by another country, don't fight back, it will actually lead to more death and destruction. Just surrender.

Costa Rica basically do that. And it's worked very well. No army and when attacked, they appeal to the international community for censure.

MissHoskins · 25/04/2020 20:48

I'd like to think that the twats arguing amongst themselves on this thread should realise that this time we're living has never been seen before.
Decisions are made that we have no part in, some are wrong and some are right.
It's not possible for everyone to get everything right.
The Police are doing their best, yes some forces have been heavy handed but not all are the same.
For Fucks Sake give this blame/I would have been better/ I'm more right than you culture a rest.

SoupDragon · 25/04/2020 20:55

Imagine if we based all decisons on this sort of reasoning.

What a good job people are able to use appropriate reasoning for different scenarios then. 🙄 No one single strategy is right for every scenario.

Brabarella · 25/04/2020 21:01

It kicked off in a local group because someone took a photo of all the people gathering on the A6, but he was a legend and a gentleman apparently so it’s all good 🙄

NotTerfNorCis · 25/04/2020 21:02

If people flock together to attend the funeral of a major criminal, and run the risks of catching Covid... the only downside is the other people they go on to infect.

Hingeandbracket · 25/04/2020 21:07

Amazed by some of the comments on here basically accepting the Police have no control over some people.

It's not acceptable.

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