The current case of Notts Police withholding evidence which may undermine their prosecution case is just the latest example of what could seem like deliberate policy.

The relevations in today's papers that Notts police have deliberately withhelp tapes of recordings of undercover cop Mark kennedy plotting with environmental campaigners look for all the world like an atttempt by the police to pervert the course of justice. The penalty for which is a jail sentence.

But this is not a one off by Notts Police. They have previosuly withheld evidence for it only to come to light after many months when the court case opens. In 2009 they denied possessing evidence which would support environmental protestors facing a court trial for blockading E-on's offices in Nottingham. There was video evidence of the defendents complying with police orders on the promise that they would not be arrested if they did so. Yet Inspector Will Chell of Notts Police denied any knowledge of such evidence.

This was rather foolish of him as photographs had been published on indymedia showing him standing next to his officers while they filmed and photographed the event. There was even a recording of him making his ultimatum to the protesters. Whilst this did lead to Notts police getting their wrists slapped in court no charges were brought against the offendng officers.

So, if you are wondering whether senior Notts coppers have been carrying spare underwear this week, the answer is it seems unlikely. The  police routinely behave against members of the public as if they are above the law. It is hard to blame them for this given the desultory performance of the CJS and CPS in holding them to account.

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