I just got the official word that the patrol practices in our area are being reviewed and the harassment is stopping right now which honestly feels unreal. My phone has been blowing up all morning with messages from people who can finally drive to work without feeling like they have …
July 7, 2022
Final supporters
We have recently received a large number of complaints which has prompted us to create this petition.
A large number of us car enthusiasts in Fermanagh & Omagh have felt that recently they are being unfairly targeted by the PSNI's Road Policing Unit. Nowhere else in Northern Ireland does the car community feel that they face such strong targeting and some may even say harassment. Many of them feel that they are being branded scumbags and hooligans despite being law-abiding citizens.
Here are some complaints we have received about alleged recent actions of the PSNI that we believe may constitute misconduct:
- Intimidation of young drivers - who are less likely to know their rights.
- Continual following of and unauthorized surveillance of those with car club branded merchandise.
- Threatening to seize vehicles on the basis of 'new legislation' which does not exist.
- Threatening to put a 'red flag' on vehicles whose drivers' know their rights and rightfully stand up for them.
- Actively preventing the filming and photography of police activity.
- Stopping unmodified and legal vehicles and telling the driver that the vehicle is illegally modified.
- Issuing fines to unmodified and legal vehicles.
- Threatening to seize legally modified and unmodified vehicles and intimidating the drivers.
..and here are some complaints we have received about alleged recent actions of the PSNI, which may not be misconduct but we believe to be excessive:
- Prevention of entry of car enthusiasts into any and all car parks in Omagh. (Chasing us out of the town.)
- Excessive use of unmarked vehicles when marked vehicles would serve better to prevent inappropriate behaviour.
- Preference to use force over education.
- Assumption of guilt by default.
This list is not complete and will be updated regularly as we receive new information. Because of these alleged actions, we believe that police officers in Omagh should at the very least receive additional training. We also believe that there are particular officers who should be disciplined.
Car enthusiasts are sick of being targeted everyday. They want to be treated in a fair and just manner and they are not guilty by default.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
April 22, 2022
Reached 100 supporters
April 21, 2022
April 19, 2022
I can see the count ticking upward and it is honestly wild to think that many people are feeling this same frustration in Fermanagh right now. If you have a second today just try to drop this link into a group chat or a forum thread because once we hit that triple digit mark it is going to be a lot harder for them to keep ignoring us.
128 Comments
This isn't just Omagh as an issue. I have been stopped as a young driver just after passing my test in a standard car only because I had gone to a car meet in Magherafelt. Red flagged my car's in the past as well and given me none stop hassle. Lost a job interview because I was stopped on the way and was made late.
This also applies to the PSNI in Newcastle and Downpatrick. The people causing the disturbances are being ignored and those of us who are law abiding targeted. Having spoken with neighbours the PSNI seem to be lacking in authority where it's due and actually working with us as car enthusiasts to bring a peaceful environment for all involved.
A lot of young drivers including myself being issued with unnecessary fines and points for minor things such as rplates being hard to aee through back window of car
I feel to that the psni do unfair target young drivers in modified cars even those who are clearly modified in a safe way by people who probably take more care of thire car than a normal person due to it being thire passion
Wasn’t even allowed to return to my property in portstewart because of my classic car I had to take the long route around whilst the people carrier in front was allowed to pass through
There targeting the lads way to often and it can’t keep going on when most of the lads are wrongfully accused of illegal mods etc
Wallop
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I just got the official word that the patrol practices in our area are being reviewed and the harassment is stopping right now which honestly feels unreal. My phone has been blowing up all morning with messages from people who can finally drive to work without feeling like they have …
July 7, 2022
Final supporters
We have recently received a large number of complaints which has prompted us to create this petition.
A large number of us car enthusiasts in Fermanagh & Omagh have felt that recently they are being unfairly targeted by the PSNI's Road Policing Unit. Nowhere else in Northern Ireland does the car community feel that they face such strong targeting and some may even say harassment. Many of them feel that they are being branded scumbags and hooligans despite being law-abiding citizens.
Here are some complaints we have received about alleged recent actions of the PSNI that we believe may constitute misconduct:
- Intimidation of young drivers - who are less likely to know their rights.
- Continual following of and unauthorized surveillance of those with car club branded merchandise.
- Threatening to seize vehicles on the basis of 'new legislation' which does not exist.
- Threatening to put a 'red flag' on vehicles whose drivers' know their rights and rightfully stand up for them.
- Actively preventing the filming and photography of police activity.
- Stopping unmodified and legal vehicles and telling the driver that the vehicle is illegally modified.
- Issuing fines to unmodified and legal vehicles.
- Threatening to seize legally modified and unmodified vehicles and intimidating the drivers.
..and here are some complaints we have received about alleged recent actions of the PSNI, which may not be misconduct but we believe to be excessive:
- Prevention of entry of car enthusiasts into any and all car parks in Omagh. (Chasing us out of the town.)
- Excessive use of unmarked vehicles when marked vehicles would serve better to prevent inappropriate behaviour.
- Preference to use force over education.
- Assumption of guilt by default.
This list is not complete and will be updated regularly as we receive new information. Because of these alleged actions, we believe that police officers in Omagh should at the very least receive additional training. We also believe that there are particular officers who should be disciplined.
Car enthusiasts are sick of being targeted everyday. They want to be treated in a fair and just manner and they are not guilty by default.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
April 22, 2022
Reached 100 supporters
April 21, 2022
April 19, 2022
I can see the count ticking upward and it is honestly wild to think that many people are feeling this same frustration in Fermanagh right now. If you have a second today just try to drop this link into a group chat or a forum thread because once we hit that triple digit mark it is going to be a lot harder for them to keep ignoring us.
128 Comments
NI could easy have a larger scene for enthusiasts that would ultimately benefit the economy. Take Aus/NZ for one example and you can see the positive effects
This isn't just Omagh as an issue. I have been stopped as a young driver just after passing my test in a standard car only because I had gone to a car meet in Magherafelt. Red flagged my car's in the past as well and given me none stop hassle. Lost a job interview because I was stopped on the way and was made late.
This also applies to the PSNI in Newcastle and Downpatrick. The people causing the disturbances are being ignored and those of us who are law abiding targeted. Having spoken with neighbours the PSNI seem to be lacking in authority where it's due and actually working with us as car enthusiasts to bring a peaceful environment for all involved.
A lot of young drivers including myself being issued with unnecessary fines and points for minor things such as rplates being hard to aee through back window of car
I feel to that the psni do unfair target young drivers in modified cars even those who are clearly modified in a safe way by people who probably take more care of thire car than a normal person due to it being thire passion
Wasn’t even allowed to return to my property in portstewart because of my classic car I had to take the long route around whilst the people carrier in front was allowed to pass through
There targeting the lads way to often and it can’t keep going on when most of the lads are wrongfully accused of illegal mods etc
Wallop
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NI could easy have a larger scene for enthusiasts that would ultimately benefit the economy. Take Aus/NZ for one example and you can see the positive effects