The ever wise Labour government in the UK have recently placed decision making powers surrounding the licensing of pubs in the hands of local councils. This follows last November’s supposed liberalising of licensing hours, that has not lead to a significant increase in the number of pubs that open past 11pm, in London at least. This evening I was enjoying a social pint at the Fitzroy Tavern, near Tottenham Court Road. whilst debating the relative pros and cons of a free market economy.
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The Fitzroy Tavern is a very relaxed pub that attracts a mix of students, locals and new media types, who congregate on the wide pavement on warm summer nights. At about 9pm this evening, whilst standing on the pavement of Charlotte Street, I noticed a large police van with at least six police officers parked just down the road from the pub. About 10 minutes later, I went into the bar to order some more drinks. Shockingly, I was told that the pub could not serve anymore drinks as the Police had warned the licensee that there were too many people standing on the street. The pub’s license only covered 40 odd people to be outside of the pub, so in response the police were prepared to shut the place down.
This angered me on numerous levels and when I saw a fully loaded police van edging slowly towards me, I decided to take some action. I stepped into the street and photographed the police van. My actions were met with a very harsh response from the police, who immediately jumped out of their van and surrounded me. Now, surrounded by five armoured police officers, I began to argue my case. Why had they asked me to “step aside”? Could I leave? Were they arresting me? I have noticed before that the police do not like being questioned, and tonight was no exception. Steve’s interjection was met with a harsh, physical rebuttal, which prompted me, once again to ask the police why they were questioning me.
My question was cunningly countered by an officer who asked me if I had been drinking. “Of course I have. I am standing outside a pub”, I replied. The officer then warned me that it was illegal to be drunk on the street; I asked him what qualified as drunkenness, but I received no response. The tete-a-tete continued until I asked the officers if I was being detained, at which point they moved aside and let me return to my pavement space to finish my drink.
The situation raises several issues and is characteristic of an increasing level of surveillance and monitoring that is being inflicted on modern, metropolitan society. Aside from the social and philosophical connotations of living in a society in which the police are freely able to bring about such disruption, there are also a number of issues. I suspect that at 9pm on a Friday there are more pressing issues that warrant police attention within London than a bunch of people standing and drinking on a pavement. A barely feel the need to highlight how ridiculous the situation is. What should come to mind though, is that this kind of behaviour is characteristic of a society in which are fundamental freedoms are benign eroded with every day that passes. The police should street everyone with courtesy and respect. Instead I was immediately threatened and provoked and was only “released” when I asked if I was being arrested. How far into the pit of mutual suspicion and loathing will our society descend before we loose all bearing on the liberties and freedoms that we are supposedly fighting for?
