Police appeal after abuse of FGW staff at Weston super Mare, 14 August 2011

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) press release:

BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE APPEAL FOR IMFORMATION AFTER RAIL STAFF ABUSED: WESTON-SUPER-MARE

British Transport Police officers are appealing for the public^s help to identify a man they would like to speak to in connection with an incident at Weston-super-Mare railway station.

Officers have today released CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

PC John Flower said the incident took place at about 9am on Sunday 14 August 2011.

^A group of cyclists attempted to board a train at Weston-super-Mare rail station but were informed by rail staff that only two cycles would be permitted on the train,^ PC Flower said. ^One of the cyclists became abusive towards staff, swearing at both the station clerk and the train guard before the group sought refunds for the tickets they had bought and then left the station.

^Enquiries are ongoing and, after viewing CCTV from the station, I would now like to identify and speak to the man in these photographs as I believe he will have information which will assist the investigation.

^Abuse towards members of rail staff is unacceptable. Rail staff have the right to go about their duties without suffering abuse from members of the public.^

The man BTP officers would like to speak to is described as white, aged about 20, around 6ft and wearing a blue and white-coloured lycra cycling outfit.

Anyone who recognises the man in these photographs is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident reference B8 of 28/09/2011. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Edit note: Images now removed due to expiry of copyright permission. CfN

[Brucey]

I was wondering if there is any reason why BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) typically issue a press release quite a while (over a month) after the incident has taken place?  Is it a legal reason or just a case of obtaining the CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision)?

[paul7575]

They possibly wait until all the traditional avenues of investigation/detection have been completed.

Wanted posters outside the sherriff's office, and that sort of thing...

[Brucey]

Seems like a reasonable reason.  Might jog people's memories if they saw the images closer to the offence having been committed.

[Maxwell P]

This happens all the time when bikes are refused. This summer, apart from the usual round of abuse from some cyclists, I have also been called a 'transport fascist', whatever that is, along with the predictable cries of 'jobsworth', when I will not allow cycles in the vestibules of crowded HST^▸ (High Speed Train) coaches, (this when the TGS and power car are already full with reserved machines).  Officially, only 2 cycles only are to be carried per unit train. Most of us try hard to accommodate additional cyclists on these services, but are less inclined to do so when faced with the behaviour reported in the above post.

Holland and Belgium, both known for bike friendliness, charge for conveyance of cycles, (up to 6 Euros, I believe).  I know that these countries maintain superb, (chargeable), bike parks at stations, but nevertheless, in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Land, bike transport is free on trains, as is bike parking at stations.  IMO^▸ (in my opinion), there is little reason why commuters cannot buy a second cheap machine for the onward commute from their destination station, parking this when not in use. 

Leisure cyclists should really have the nous to check before setting out and in fairness, most do.

Sadly, there is a small minority who believe that possession of a cycle allows them to sidestep the need for consideration and basic good manners. 

 

[Phil]

Sadly, there is a small minority who believe that possession of a cycle allows them to sidestep the need for consideration and basic good manners. 

Very, very well said. All round, in fact, but that part jumped out at me immediately.

[JaminBob]

Wow. Lycra is so horrible.

[lordgoata]

Sadly, there is a small minority who believe that possession of a cycle allows them to sidestep the need for consideration and basic good manners.

I'm a cyclist and have been for 30-odd years, and the arrogance of some cyclists is beyond belief. Those that insist in getting off before anyone else despite their bike being against the doors on the opposite side etc. - the other morning there was a guy standing in the vestibule with a lot of people either side and behind waiting to get off. Just as the train stopped he hoiked his bike onto his shoulder, the back wheel almost smacking some poor guy in the face, then he just barged off the train! It was unbelievable.

They should just ban the ruddy things from trains and be done with it (fold up ones are no better, the idiots leave them in the aisles next to the seat so no one nicks it, I assume, so no one can get past without bashing their shins to bits).

and I won't even get started on the idiots on Bridleways who think they have right of way over horses (hint, you don't.) Anyway I digress...

[LiskeardRich]

cyclists cycling 2 or 3 abreadth on roads is a common thing i notice lately, preventing cars from getting round easily.
I noticed in Spain on popular cycle routes signs for cyclists telling them to ride single file only

[lordgoata]

cyclists cycling 2 or 3 abreadth on roads is a common thing i notice lately, preventing cars from getting round easily.
I noticed in Spain on popular cycle routes signs for cyclists telling them to ride single file only

Riding more than single file is illegal (or was when I did my cycling proficiency exam). I often ride some way from the edge of the road to avoid the gazillion pot holes around here following the recent harsh winters, but I always move over (or pull in to a suitable location) to let traffic past, especially if there are several cars and its a twisty country road so they can't see when its clear to pass.

It just seems to be the way in this country now, everyone is out for themselves and has no consideration for anyone else or, and to get slightly back on topic again, those doing their job.

Some one recently told me that cycling is the new mid-life crisis