Special Constable security guards coming to a store near you_

I am simply gobsmacked by David Blunkett's new plans to allow security guards and bouncers to become Special Constables. Does this man have no brains whatsoever?

People who work in the security industry are not allowed to become special constables for the simply fact the conflict of interest is so large.

At the moment you can only be "detained" if you leave a store without paying for goods. As a special constable you have the power of "arrest" on only a suspicion that a crime was about to be committed.

Let's give you some examples:

You go into a store and pick up a pair of jeans. Your other half is outside the door having a smoke so you head towards the door to show him/her. With their new powers just taking a few steps towards the door will be enough to give them the power of arrest. They don't have to prove you walked out without paying. Only that they "suspect" you were about to.

Next, you're a bouncer on the door and you've ejected someone. They get hostel and start pushing. The bouncer can then place himself on duty and, if pushed again, "arrest" you for assaulting a Police officer which is a much more serious crime.

Now imagine you were and bouncer and you and 4 other non-special bouncers have been involved in a brawl and you've arrested someone. If the people ejected make a complaint would it be to the Police (tax payer’s expense) or the club? You see the complications this would make?

The rules about security guards and bouncers were put there so NO conflict of interest could ever arise. Under these new rules (if they become law) will be totally unworkable because all Police officers must at all times be under the SOLE command of their chief officer.Workers at high street store Dixons have already become specials to catch shoplifters. And staff at at least one hospital are being recruited to patrol the grounds after work.
Special Constables are there to help the public, to be a presence on the streets, to assist the regular Police Force when needed. They should not and never be people who trapes around where they work with powers to arrest on only a suspicion. They should be used for the good of the community and not just their bosses!

Things that make you go "ouch"_

I came across this problem the other day. When you buy something from abroad you have to pay import tax. That much we all know.

Now let's suppose it's faulty and you post it back to get it repaired. They repair it and post it back under the heading "repair". Did you know you will get taxed again even though the item has already been taxed?

Doesn't that seem just a little unfair to have to pay tax twice on the same product?

I saw this happen in a local shop where he sent a faulty rod back to the states to be repaired and then got clobbered with another £40 import tax even though it clearly stated "repair".

Take notice of this if you ever happen to need to get something repaired abroad!