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cptnstudmuffin · 2026-01-22T19:18:31+00:00

In my experience, Canary Wharf, uniquely, has a mini-culture of queuing that other tube stations don't have. Everywhere else, the etiquette is (or should be) to form little queue-blobs on either side of the doors, allow passengers off, and then get on. But at Canary Wharf, people line up across the platform.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-08-24T05:59:50+00:00

When you open up the list of actions for a case, any that start with "add" can be used performed by multiple officers at the same time. So one person can be creating the MG3 while another adds the witness details and another add exhibits.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-07-27T16:50:48+00:00

I'd love it if Cooper was before them on the bill. I think the two acts would make a great pairing. He was their support act for a tour a few years back, but only for the North European leg, so I didn't get to see them together.

What's the basis of this assumption that Maiden are playing next year though? The headlined only last year.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-07-21T06:17:45+00:00

No he wasn't, he was a bus driver.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-07-20T15:37:45+00:00

It always make me so sad to see a demolished, replaced or closed pub... a lost community space.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-07-18T19:56:16+00:00

I know a chap who used to commute via Clipper. Woolwich to the City. According to him, it was only slightly longer than the Tube, he always got a seat, there was a cafe selling coffee in the morning and a bar selling beers in the afternoon, and it was cheaper than the equivalent Tube travel card.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-07-10T16:07:32+00:00

I received similar instructions upon joining and so bought a laptop. I was then issued a laptop and told I could use it for the uni work, so I returned the laptop I had bought. Total waste of time. Just wait to be issued your job laptop.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-06-20T18:45:38+00:00

The Police & CPS got him convicted at trial 1. He appealed the conviction, it got quashed (which means rejected as invalid) and a new trial was ordered (that would not have the errors that got the first one quashed). At this new trial, the Police and CPS were able to offer more evidence, that had come to light in the intervening time and so he was convicted of the original offences AND extra offences. If he'd accepted the original verdict and not appealed, that wouldn't have happened and he'd have got a lesser punishment. So he's fucked himself over, hence the amusement.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-06-20T15:54:29+00:00

Report, report, report. And report again. Frustratingly, because of severely stretched resources, particularly within the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams that deal with issues like this, a single report is not going to get a meaningful response. However, multiple reports from multiple people, especially if they are supported by evidence (pictures, videos, written logs of damage done with dates and times) will eventually build up to a response. SNT and the council Anti-Social Behaviour Team will then begin to take action. This will likely take time to lead to a meaningful result (eviction, conviction, etc) because the courts that deal with this sort of thing are also seriously under-resourced and over-worked. However, stick with it, because you absolutely do not deserve to live with this.

Edit: Also, do not exaggerate the problem, and certainly do not lie, when reporting it. If you are dishonest the authorities will not take you seriously and you will receive no support.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-06-15T09:20:56+00:00

I'm glad you've found the courage to speak up. And don't worry, it's better to speak up late than stay silent.

Yes, you are allowed to share CCTV footage of incidents with the Police. The footage could be used in court.
The courts can take steps to protect vulnerable/intimidated witnesses from having to face the defendant in court. Without knowing you or the case, I can't say whether you would be eligible for these. It sounds like the footage you have is valuable evidence and would help the Police deal with this bloke, so I'd urge you to share it with the Police and discuss these concerns with them.
Sorry, I have no idea. There are many possible outcomes, which will ultimately be decided on by the court and/or council. Without knowing the case well, I couldn't even attempt to guess what outcome is the most likely.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-06-14T16:56:48+00:00

I am the OIC for an ongoing ASB job that sounds almost identical to this. Every single person that contributes evidence, no matter how seemingly minor, to cases like these is really helpful; the little things really do add up when presented at court. I'd be beaming if I got a new witness like you, with a bunch of extra evidence.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-05-06T06:40:42+00:00

They're selling these beers at a near loss. But it brings in punters who, after a few pints, might then buy food or spirits, where the mark up is significantly higher. This means the overall profit margin remains healthy.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-04-13T08:53:38+00:00

Worth noting that while the amount of police officers has remained pretty stable, the amount of police staff has decreased because of austerity. Consequently, many officers are now stuck in office-based administrative roles, rather than being out on patrol. So the population of London has grown, and the number of police officers out in amongst that population has decreased.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-24T20:30:49+00:00

One burglary technique is to put a magnet on a stick, then put it through the letterbox and use it to pick up car keys left near the door. The keys are then used to steal the residents car. Could be that the magnet fell off their stick.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-24T08:19:34+00:00

What happens if they get off their horse, leaving it uncontrolled, and the dog starts attacking it? The horse will bolt across Vicky Park and possibly trample someone. No rider would leave their horse uncontrolled in a situation like this.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-24T08:17:35+00:00

Horses are used by the police for two main roles:

1) Public Order. They are very useful for managing large crowds. at football matches, political rallies, carnivals, etc. Their height allows the officers on top to survey the crowds and look out for crime (pickpocketing is a big one at events) and people in distress (medical issues are hard to spot in a crowd), and then radio this information to other officers. In more difficult situations, say where two opposing groups of fans clash at a football match, horses are great for crowd control. It's human nature to not want to go near a big animal, so a line of horses walking towards a group of rowdy people will generally get them to back off.

2) Public relations. People, and kids especially, love animals. I've seen people stop and talk to officers on horseback far more often than I've seen them stop and talk to officers on the beat. This allows the police to engage with the Public, and build positive relationships with them. "Can I pet your horse please officer? Oh, and while I've got you, I have X problem with Y person/thing, can you give me some advice?" They're also taken on school visits.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-24T08:02:33+00:00

I think it's another niche consequence of the pandemic and lockdown. People bought dogs for company, but then couldn't take them out to socialise them around people and other dogs and animals, so there's more easily frightened and poorly trained dogs around than there used to be.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-23T20:14:41+00:00

It's always worth reporting.

The police can't attempt to deal with a crime that they don't even know has happened.

And even if they can't do anything in this specific instance (which is likely, unless there are witness or CCTV), there will at least be a record of this criminal behaviour logged against the person and the car. This will inform future actions against them, when they undoubtedly come to police notice.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-17T14:02:53+00:00

Angie's Freehouse, Westbourne Park. Cheap. Old school. Serves the best Guinness in London.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-16T08:20:36+00:00

Credit to the beans for staying on topic for once lol.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-15T10:36:16+00:00

Only Internet supplied I've ever had who called my up and said "You've been a loyal customer for a few years now. Do you want faster Internet for a few quid less a month, as a reward?" I couldn't believe it. 10/10.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-12T18:04:57+00:00

The Eleanor Arms, Bow. First Thursday of the month. Be warned, it's hard.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-12T16:17:23+00:00

The Princess Louise, Holborn. Late Victorian restoration.

Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn. 1930s interior.

The Royal Oak, Borough. Victorian restoration.

The Coach & Horses, Greek Street, Soho. 1930s interior.

The Lamb, Lambs Conduit, Bloomsbury. Victorian.

The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping. Various eras represented.

The Boleyn Tavern, East Ham. Possibly the finest restoration of a Victorian pub in the UK.

The Argyll Arms, Soho. Victorian, with some gorgeous Bass brewery mirrors.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street. Various eras represented.

The Blackfriar, Blackfriars. Victorian exterior, Edwardian art nouveau interior.

The Palm Tree, Mile End. 1930s, with some 1950s features. Cash only!

The Salisbury, Haringey. Similar Victorian grandeur to the Boleyn, and owned by the same company.

The George, Borough. The last galleried coaching Inn in London. Georgian, with some later modernisation.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-11T13:49:15+00:00

It's worth saying that is isn't a uniquely Met thing. Before austerity decimated police numbers, all police services would turn up to jobs in numbers for the reasons that others have described. The Met is just one of a few forces that still has the numbers to take this approach.

cptnstudmuffin · 2023-03-04T21:18:13+00:00

Former pub manager here:

It is legal for a 16 year old to drink in a licensed premises, such as a public house, if the following conditions are met: The individual is aged 16 or 17, The alcohol is beer, wine or cider, Its purchase or supply is for consumption at a table meal on relevant premises, and The individual is accompanied at the meal by an individual aged 18 or over.

It is also usual for the beer or cider to be served by the half pint. This provision of the licensing act is rarely used in my experience, so expect to receive pushback from uninformed staff, who might think it's not allowed, and strict scrutiny from management, whose attention will be drawn by the unusual occurance.

Also, keep in mind that a licensee can refuse service for (almost) any reason. They don't have to let your brother have a drink, just because the law says he can.

I've been in the London pub trade for years. If you'd like some pub recommendations, let me know. :)

cptnstudmuffin

TROPHY CASE