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British Police Arrest Man for Not Smiling
Parkinson's man arrested at cycing 'for not smiling'
By Guy Martin
August 09, 2012
A PARKINSON'S sufferer who was arrested during the Olympic cycle races in Surrey has questioned why he was dragged to the ground for "not smiling".
Mark Worsfold, 54, was sat on a wall in Leatherhead as the riders approached at around 3pm on Saturday, July 28 - but officers decided his manner was a cause for concern, and he was hauled off to Reigate police station.
The martial arts instructor is now seeking a letter of exoneration from Surrey Police. The force has defended the officers' actions, explaining that they were worried about a "possible breach of the peace" and found knives on Mr Worsfold - although these turned out to be plastic and had been used for a martial arts demonstration at Red House Gardens earlier the same day.
Mr Worsfold had been invited to display at the council-run event and had started walking back to his car afterwards, to go to his daughter's ninth birthday party.
While on Bull Hill, he said he sat on a wall with others to avoid the crowds, watch the race and rest as his condition makes standing for prolonged periods painful.
Across the road from Mr Worsfold, fathers' rights campaigners were protesting against the family justice system.
I'm a volunteer and fundraiser for charities. Not, I'd say, a criminal mastermind
Mark Worsfold
He recalled: "One came to sit next to me. She was constantly on the phone and was being carefully monitored by the police.
"You can imagine my surprise when just as the racers were about to appear over the brow of the hill I had two policemen force me to the ground and read me my rights. Face down, I was restrained and handcuffed.
"I was arrested on 'suspicion of being about to cause a public order offence' or something like that."
On being told that the way he had been acting was part of the reason for his arrest, Mr Worsfold tried to explain that he suffered from Parkinson's disease.
"After several hours' confinement I was released without charge, caution or even interview," he said.
'Given advice'
Although he has been concerned about the damage to his business and distress caused to his family by the incident, Mr Worsfold admitted he could now see the funny side.
"It's ironic that I'm a national referee and registered instructor in Taekwondo and have in a small way helped select and train our current Olympic hopefuls," he said. "I have a number of police officers as students in my martial arts clubs.
"I have many years' experience in the military, security and surveillance industry, as a law enforcement officer for Surrey, and am currently a Surrey Police Community Speedwatch co-ordinator.
"I'm a trustee and auditor for respected organisations and a school governor, and a volunteer and fundraiser for charities. Not, I'd say, a criminal mastermind."
Based on his manner, his dress and proximity to the course, officers made an arrest to prevent a possible breach of the peace
Surrey Police spokesman
Police have been widely praised for the friendly and good-spirited way they dealt with Olympic events in Surrey. Outriders were cheered when high-fiving spectators and waving.
A spokesman for Surrey Police said Mr Worsfold's behaviour had "caused concern as the cyclists approached".
He added: "The man was positioned close to protesters and based on his manner, his dress and proximity to the course, officers made an arrest to prevent a possible breach of the peace.
"The man was in possession of a number of knives. It was established the knives were made from rubber and intended for use as display items, and the blade of a folding knife was within legal limits.
"Factors which led officers to make this arrest include the fact that the race was rapidly approaching, the heightened level of security due to the high profile nature of the event and the sheer number of spectators.
"These were fully explained to the individual. He was given advice and released with no further action."
The spokesman also said Mr Worsfold had already written a letter stating that he fully understood the officers' actions and accepted their apologies and explanations.
Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens said: "Officers were policing huge numbers of people during the Olympic events and in the interests of public safety they acted quickly and decisively based on the information available to them.”
There was one only other arrest in Surrey during the Olympic cycle races.
By Guy Martin
August 09, 2012
A PARKINSON'S sufferer who was arrested during the Olympic cycle races in Surrey has questioned why he was dragged to the ground for "not smiling".
Mark Worsfold, 54, was sat on a wall in Leatherhead as the riders approached at around 3pm on Saturday, July 28 - but officers decided his manner was a cause for concern, and he was hauled off to Reigate police station.
The martial arts instructor is now seeking a letter of exoneration from Surrey Police. The force has defended the officers' actions, explaining that they were worried about a "possible breach of the peace" and found knives on Mr Worsfold - although these turned out to be plastic and had been used for a martial arts demonstration at Red House Gardens earlier the same day.
Mr Worsfold had been invited to display at the council-run event and had started walking back to his car afterwards, to go to his daughter's ninth birthday party.
While on Bull Hill, he said he sat on a wall with others to avoid the crowds, watch the race and rest as his condition makes standing for prolonged periods painful.
Across the road from Mr Worsfold, fathers' rights campaigners were protesting against the family justice system.
I'm a volunteer and fundraiser for charities. Not, I'd say, a criminal mastermind
Mark Worsfold
He recalled: "One came to sit next to me. She was constantly on the phone and was being carefully monitored by the police.
"You can imagine my surprise when just as the racers were about to appear over the brow of the hill I had two policemen force me to the ground and read me my rights. Face down, I was restrained and handcuffed.
"I was arrested on 'suspicion of being about to cause a public order offence' or something like that."
On being told that the way he had been acting was part of the reason for his arrest, Mr Worsfold tried to explain that he suffered from Parkinson's disease.
"After several hours' confinement I was released without charge, caution or even interview," he said.
'Given advice'
Although he has been concerned about the damage to his business and distress caused to his family by the incident, Mr Worsfold admitted he could now see the funny side.
"It's ironic that I'm a national referee and registered instructor in Taekwondo and have in a small way helped select and train our current Olympic hopefuls," he said. "I have a number of police officers as students in my martial arts clubs.
"I have many years' experience in the military, security and surveillance industry, as a law enforcement officer for Surrey, and am currently a Surrey Police Community Speedwatch co-ordinator.
"I'm a trustee and auditor for respected organisations and a school governor, and a volunteer and fundraiser for charities. Not, I'd say, a criminal mastermind."
Based on his manner, his dress and proximity to the course, officers made an arrest to prevent a possible breach of the peace
Surrey Police spokesman
Police have been widely praised for the friendly and good-spirited way they dealt with Olympic events in Surrey. Outriders were cheered when high-fiving spectators and waving.
A spokesman for Surrey Police said Mr Worsfold's behaviour had "caused concern as the cyclists approached".
He added: "The man was positioned close to protesters and based on his manner, his dress and proximity to the course, officers made an arrest to prevent a possible breach of the peace.
"The man was in possession of a number of knives. It was established the knives were made from rubber and intended for use as display items, and the blade of a folding knife was within legal limits.
"Factors which led officers to make this arrest include the fact that the race was rapidly approaching, the heightened level of security due to the high profile nature of the event and the sheer number of spectators.
"These were fully explained to the individual. He was given advice and released with no further action."
The spokesman also said Mr Worsfold had already written a letter stating that he fully understood the officers' actions and accepted their apologies and explanations.
Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens said: "Officers were policing huge numbers of people during the Olympic events and in the interests of public safety they acted quickly and decisively based on the information available to them.”
There was one only other arrest in Surrey during the Olympic cycle races.
"Based on his manner, his dress and proximity to the course, officers made an arrest to prevent a possible breach of the peace"
Surrey Police spokesman
LOL
That would be cruel...
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