On 01/08/2012 08:07, Bertie Wooster wrote:

On Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:58:27 -0700 (PDT), Doug
wrote:

the police are allowed to create crimes as they go along

This really is a problem.

How can the police be allowed to create the crime of "Cycling
northbound over a London bridge", and then punish an infringement by
detaining overnight and withholding the primary means of transport
home.

Do you know what the words "travesty", "misrepresentation" and "deceit" mean?

It leaves the police acting as lawmaker, prosecutor, judge, jury,
prison guard and "executioner".

You'd no doubt prefer it if all of the people holding those offices were kept
on hand all night, with the punishment handed out to Critical Mess terrorists
being supplemented by significant imposts for costs.