Police swoop on the homeless taking sleeping bags and food parcels in co-ordinated raids i

[mrsat_98]

http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news...idge_1_2206446



Police swooped on the homeless, grabbing sleeping bags and food parcels donated by the public, in co-ordinated raids around the borough.

Adam Jaskowiak was one of the men targeted and said he pleaded with police to be able to keep his things but was ignored.

He was sleeping with eight other people finding shelter for the night in the former Ilford Baths in High Road, Ilford.

All of their belongings were bundled into a police car leaving the men, one in his 60s, stunned.

A police chief told the Recorder the operation was carried out to “reduce the negative impact of rough sleepers”.

But Mr Jaskowiak, 34, said: “They were just taking the sleeping bags and chucking out everything. I asked to keep it and the food, but they said ‘no’.

“I just grabbed as many of my things as possible and put them into a bag and ran.”

He was given the sleeping bag by the Salvation Army, Clements Road, Ilford, over the winter months after becoming homeless when his friend died.

John Clifton, 26, corps officer at the Salvation Army, said: “I’m shocked and disgusted. Why would you take the only form of shelter someone has from them?

“We have tried to find out why they were taken and if we can get them back.”

After the raid happened on Thursday, the men went to the Refugee and Migrant Forum of East London, High Road, Ilford, for help.

Chief executive Rita Chadha said: “I am appalled because there’s no logic in this – it’s not as though if they take someone’s sleeping bag they will automatically walk into a house.

“It’s not a lifestyle choice and becoming homeless can happen to anyone.”

She also said the action will damage relations between the police and those sleeping on the streets.

Ilford Ch Insp John Fish said: “The public rely on police to reduce the negative impact of rough sleepers, this includes the need for us to assist in the removal of temporary structures, tents, and bedding from public spaces and other inappropriate locations.”

[mrsat_98]

armed robbery
noun
a robbery in which the robber is armed with a dangerous weapon.

[Weston White]

Really, so this is what modern day law enforcement has come to? Them “raiding” poor people asleep outside? Them taking the few remaining possessions they own, including their bedding and whatever bit of food and beverage they have? Them leaving those pesky “rough sleepers” there to scratch their heads and wonder what is it that they are expected to do now?

[tod evans]

No mention made of searching belongings for "drugs" which I'm 100% certain these fine officers did...

All to protect the children no doubt...

[jkr]

wOr on poverty....reminds me of a scene from "THEY LIVE"

[asurfaholic]

This is so twisted it makes a pretzel look straight

[amy31416]

I can't imagine going into work one day and being given the orders to rough up the homeless and take everything they have....then not telling whomever gave these orders to go take a flying fart and calling him out for the twisted POS he is.

[green73]

I can't imagine going into work one day and being given the orders to rough up the homeless and take everything they have....then not telling whomever gave these orders to go take a flying fart and calling him out for the twisted POS he is.

You wouldn't make a very good cop.

[moostraks]

armed robbery
noun
a robbery in which the robber is armed with a dangerous weapon.

Pretty much what I thought as well. And why anyone would want to participate in this organization that still has a conscience is beyond me. This type of behavior should make one who thinks they can do a tubal good in this career pause and consider what it will take to get to a position of power to effect change...

[Grubb556]

I kinda almost want the police to raid some billionaire, hoping the billionaire will get pissed and decide to sue the police.

[RockEnds]

What they did is unconscionable. Were they out to prove they have surrendered all connections to their own humanity?

[kathy88]

I cannot imagine why anyone would want to be a cop in this day and age. If you're thinking you can change the way things are maybe. But that's dangerous.

[HOLLYWOOD]

WTF?

A police chief told the Recorder the operation was carried out to “reduce the negative impact of rough sleepers”.

Oh, homeless are not paying taxes to support our over paid asses and fat pensions at the PD... which is on top of authorization for this deportment to commit crimes with impunity on anyone we desire.

No different than any 3rd world dictator nation.

[erowe1]

"If you ever take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious."
Exodus 22:26-27

[oyarde]

This was East Sussex , England ?