... the way Animal Rights groups/people are being treated, while the abusers are protected by the corrupt govt & cops who are just as bad!!

All the very best for a just solution to all this...

if i can help contact me.

Hope you get some good legal advice. Be careful too and write on here with caution. The police and CPS can and will use anything as evidence either for the prosecution or any subsequent suing by activists. In my current case (up early as off to court) I had posted about the arrest (and breaches of PACE) on Indy which ended up in the unused CPS bundle and was unused because I had merely commented on custody practices not the case. Good luck and to coin a phrase "Keep calm and carry on". Raids are part of activist life, this should not be the case but all activists would do well to prepare for such an eventuality. Part of the purpose is to intimidate, to drain (replacing megaphones, computers, phones etc is not cheap), to disrupt (no leaflets/posters=difficulty in campaigning) and of course a fishing expedition.
To prepare imagine what you would do if every scrap of paper, every phone number, your computer and therefore internet accesss was gone, all campaign material, bank accounts frozen and that the same was true of everyone in your group. What you will need primarily is contact details, access to money or credit and the warm glow of knowing that for example supporters details are encrypted and therefore safe from prying eyes. Who will take over? What are your backup plans? What if you get remanded? Who will look after the dog/children. Not nice to think about but part of a security culture we all need to adopt, a bit like making sure fire alarms work really, probably will never happen but if it does you will curse yourself for not planning. Just off to check my fire alarm.....

Well, obviously the cops have no REAL crime to fight anymore - I guess all rapes, muggings, domestic violence, child abuse is over now? I'm guessing they put this much effort into stopping knife crime, are the streets safe again, guns aren't being sold to random people, and drugs have stopped being traded?

This is one of the most pathetic and lowly attempts by the police to stamp out a new AR group - the cops should be absolutely ashamed, for themselves and for the loss of justice, and for the state of our society (oh wait, they have no shame... battering innocent people, killing protesters, fabricating evidence, need I say more?)

As others have said, NO WARRANT = ILLEGAL RAID = SUE ££££££!

Solidarity with N.A.R, we are all right behind you - don't let these dimwitted robocops put you or anyone else off fighting for what is right! :) :) :)

Pigs don't need a warrant to search your house after your arrest - they can do a Sec 18 to look for evidence of the 'crime' they arrested you for or 'any other offence' - so pretty much fishing. They must leave a form in th house.

Hello AR comrades
I’m not an AR person and have been doing other outlaw shit for a number of years now but I’m sympathetic to your resistance and face a similar bunch of state actors to yourself.
Unfortunately the person above is right about section 18 of pace which means that they can search your house whilst you’re in custody (they often use your keys if your nicked with them) my understanding (could be wrong here) is that they can only do this type of unwarranted search if the crime you have been arrested for means that further evidence may be at your house I.E drugs, stolen goods or paperwork, in the case above your comrade appears to be arrested for theft and fraud (IE possible Paperwork or stolen things). It has become common in some circles for the cops to use “conspiracy charges” that come to nothing to permit them to go fishing.

Significantly if the police are searching a shared house they are only allowed to search the room(s) of the person who is in custody and any shared areas (IE hall, living room) I have successfully forced the police to comply with this on more than one occasion when I have been in a house that is being raided in this way. You have to stand your ground but if you (as opposed to the person in custody) are not being accused of a specific crime then they have no right to look at your stuff.

Obviously if no one is in your house to demand this then plod will look at everything they can lay their filthy hands on, probably leave your door wide open when they leave, and a “receipt” you’re having a laugh. Also note that this only applies for section 18 searches if they have a warrant it’s for a named property (though not your neighbours!!) and their probably going to be looking through everyone’s underwear.

On another note Facebook? You sure that’s a sensible way of communicating? It is funded by the CIA because it means that your social networks are laid bare for the state to see. Don’t do it kids stay free!

Although our laws over here are different than yours I think what the more knowledgable about laws have stated to be correct. Namely that if they have a warrant for a PERSON they don't need another warrant to enter a place where they might reasoably expect that person might be found, and if they do in fact find that person there, they can then search the immediate vicinity of where they have apprehended that person.

What they can't do here (and I suspect where you are too) is use the fact that they were entitled to enter to conduct a search for things if they do not find the person there but that last gets tricky. Thus might have a good case for a motion to supress if incidental to the search for the person a handgun were found in a shoebox (the person could NOT have been hiding in a shoebox) but not if found in a closet (person could have been in the closet).

It is perfectly legal for the cops to raid houses if a person, who resides at the said property, is in detention. It's part of the Police & Criminals Evidence Act (PACE).

So please get your facts right before posting exaggerations and mis-information on Indymedia.

As others have said, they do have the legal power to search your house if you are in custody - only your living space and communal areas of shared houses for this type of search, whereas with a proper search warrant they can search the whole house.

*However*, if the arrest itself was bollocks you can still sue for wrongful arrest.

Hey guys,

I personly didn't realise they didn't need a warrent after they have arrested you, Jon is on bail till December 2nd 2009. We have spoken to other various animal rights groups whom of which have gave us loads of support espeacialy Jon, Our solicters say we have a good case against the police and they will be sorting various things which they have done wrong, which I cannot tell you because I have been advised by a colleage of mine not to. Various things they did sieze have now been realised which we are over the moon about. Although we've gotten around 1\4 of all of our campain materials back. I'll infom you all about this when we get some more infomation thanks again



Newcastle Animal Rights

You guy's are awsome, no really, whilst your tying up police time playing your games it leaves me free to rob and steal from old ladies nearby. So a heartfelt thanks guys.

PS - how about varying your days/times a little? especially as the nights are drawing in, perhaps you could do the odd Thursday after the OAP's have collected their pensions!

Steve,
Are you that old tosser who lives in Wallsend?

What on earth are you rambling on about, of course the old bill have real criminals to chase; thats why these guys are such hero's to us lags; they tie the old bill up in knots, take them off the street, and generally spread them so thin on the ground that we can go about our business with some degree of impunity...... perhaps I can spin your gaff in Wallsend (then again you probably dont have anything worth nicking)