Havent They Got Better Things To Do ?

[bazwillrun]

Like catching real criminals

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21457401

what a pathetic bunch of community officers they have become....
I suppose it beats walking round the streets in the horrible cold weather though.

Its like a Monty Python sketch.....oh no he made a gesture..the end is nigh !

[emmie]

doesn't seem to say quite what it was he was supposed to have done,

[RATTER15]

I think it needs investigating! Its these attituded that gay rights have been fighting for years, maybe you think it is OK, many people don't!!

[aelmpvw]

perhaps he was just waving at them

[sandyRoe]

But waving what?

[dave50]

What exactly would constitute a homophobic gesture? Mincing around with one hand on his hip perhaps? A bit like Larry Grayson?

[ummmm]

Something like that.

[bazwillrun]

I mean whats a "homophobic" gesture ?!

Yet again the use of the word phobia twisted out of all proportion.

perhaps he just happens, like an awful lot of people to believe that its unnatural and not the norm, doesnt mean he has a phobia.

I dont particularly like spiders, doesnt make me arachnophobic, I just dont like them, same with snakes doesnt make me ophidiophobic though.

[jake-the-peg]

Words change their meaning with useage Baz

Just because someone is gay doesn't maen they're happy!

build a bridge and get over it!

[boxtops]

what is a homophobic gesture? - is is different to the one or two finger gestures or the O gesture offensive in Latin America - or what? I think we should be told!

[douglas9401]

Perhaps guilty of lifting his shirt?

[bazwillrun]

"build a bridge and get over it! "

theres nothing to get over(like the pun !?), i'm just killing some time this morning

[Gromit]

If members of the public have complained, then the police are obliged to investigate, so the police are not really at fault.

Presumably the match will have been filmed so it should be an easy investigation.

If he made an offensive gesture he deserves reprimanding, even if it is just a servere telling off by his manager. Gestures are not innocent. If the fans he abused made monkey gestures in return, I suspect he would be equally upset by that.

[andy-hughes]

The argument about 'catching real criminals' is usually offered by someone who is being arrested for an offence, most typically speeding.

The simple fact is, an offence in law is an offence in law, and it doesn't cease to be so because one or more individuals see it as less erious than other offences.

So no, they haven't got better things to do, they are doing their job.

[ludwig]

// The simple fact is, an offence in law is an offence in law //

Is making a 'homophobic gesture' against the law though? I suppose it must be if they're investigating it.

[Gromit]

Ludwig

The law against homophobic hatred was passed in 2011 included in an amendment by former Thatcher Minister Lord Waddington.

// On March 23rd, the latest law in the UK came into affect, which will make it a criminal offence to “stir” homophobic hatred.

The offence will include words, behaviour, or material that is threatening in nature. The new law will bring homophobic hatred in line with racial and religious hatred. However, the law will only cover those living in England and Wales. //

[Orderlimit]

The reality is that yes, the police do have better and more important things do be doing.

[boxtops]

...but what was this gesture....?

[Orderlimit]

No idea

[Answerprancer]

I bet it was either a hand raised then the wrist going limp or the horizontal gripped invisible penis/tongue prodding inside of cheek manoevre :-)

[Answerprancer]

... either that or the screwed up eyes, pouted lips fist up and down manoevre!