TBO & RFWG Advise Fans on Police Arrests

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The Blue Order have been engaged with the Rangers Fans Working Group (RFWG) on matters relating to the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 and the work of the FoCUS Police in applying the bill.

 

In particular, TBO are concerned at the quantity of arrests and guilty pleas involving fellow Rangers fans that are emanating in particular from 'Offensive Singing'. Due to this, TBO would like to advise on some issues of relevance to this.

 

The majority of regular match-going fans will by now be very familiar with the presence of FoCUS and their remit under the new bill. However it is very important that ALL Rangers fans are aware of their rights should they find themselves involved in a situation with the police under all circumstances.

 

With regard to 'Offensive Singing', FoCUS are very eager to pursue arrests and the Rangers family must stand together to do what we can to prevent unnecessary convictions. Recent years have seen concerted attempts to attack and diminish the Rangers support via the removal of our songs and culture. We cannot allow any further ground to be lost in this battle and TBO are campaigning with the RFWG to fight back.

 

The Blue Order would advise all Rangers fans to make NO COMMENT if you find yourself spoken to by police and/or arrested for 'Offensive Singing'. In matters where Case Law is not currently in place relating to certain songs and chants, it is imperative that we do not concede any ground to the authorities looking to criminalise Rangers fans. This will help challenge any ongoing prohibition of legitimate songs celebrating our history and traditions.

 

If you do find yourself detained by police, do not feel obliged to give any unnecessary information or concessions. TBO would recommend to seek immediate consultation with a solicitor for support and advice.

 

Within the RFWG, TBO was part of recent consultation with Dalling Solicitors on legal matters and implications of 'Offensive Singing'. We would like to distribute the following information to fellow fans being subjected to police attention;

 

 

Police Powers - Suspects Rights

 

- Where a police constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed or is committing an offence that person may be required to provide their name, address, date of birth, place of birth and nationality. It is an offence not to provide this information whether or not any offence was originally being committed. The officer can require that person to remain with him while information is verified. A person who does not remain in such circumstances commits a criminal offence.

 

- Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting a person has committed or is committing an offence punishable by imprisonment the constable may detain the person to facilitate the carrying out of investigations into the offence and as to whether criminal proceedings should be instigated. The detention period can last up to 12 hours and can be extended to up to 24 hours.

 

- A person so detained is under no obligation to answer any questions other than to provide their name, address, date of birth place of birth and nationality.

 

- A detained person will be advised that they need not answer any questions but that any answers made will be noted, most likely audio and video recorded and will be used in evidence against them.

 

- To reiterate, there is no obligation on a suspect to answer questions beyond providing their name, address, date of birth, place of birth and nationality.

 

A person suspected of any offence and detained or attending voluntarily at a police office has the right to have a private consultation with a solicitor before any questioning begins and at any other time during such questioning.

 

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