Security - swabs taken at Westfield Stratford, Can they do it? Options

[Glitch]

I am a regular visitor to Westfield Stratford Shopping complex. It is also the site for the 2012 Olympics.

Security is somewhat above a normal shopping centre and will no doubt tighten a lot more before July.

On driving into the site - just to go shopping or drop my son off for his part time job there is a chance to be selected for a vehicle check.
All they have done to date is look in the boot. It takes seconds. Staff look as though they must be on minimum wage.
I had to point out that Honda CR-V's have a big well under the boot floor. Big enough to hide something significant.

Anyway, yesterday as I got out of the car they helped themselves to a swab of the steering wheel and gearstick. No asking permission or explanation.
When asked the guy said they were checking for "dangerous substances". I asked if my DNA was going to be destroyed and his only retort was that it would have his on it too.
They let me drive off before there was any analysis. I was in a hurry to pick up my son otherwise I would have been more challenging about it.

Any ideas what they are allowed to take and keep and under what laws?

This post has been edited by Glitch: Sun, 15 Apr 2012 - 09:32

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[captain swoop]

I appreciate the tunnel could pose a security risk, but with the number of times I use it (about 20 a year) you'd think my car would clock up on their ANPR as a regular.

So, establishing a presence to lull them into a sense of security before you do the bomb run?

[sgtdixie]

I would suggest it is not DNA swab. The precautions you have to take to prevent contamination and ensure the swab relates to an identifiable person are beyond private security. It also takes several weeks and a lot of money to do the DNA test. If they did it what would it show. Several weeks ago a person they have swabbed before went shopping.

I think it will logically be swab for explosives (not my area so not sure exactly what they can analyse). This is common at airports and once the swab is taken it takes a couple of minutes to get a result.

Personally I have no issue with being swabbed but if someone did it without asking they would be told where to go and I would shop elsewhere.

Given the very high terrorist risk the Olympics have I think it is fair to step up security as no-one wants an attack, do they?

[Mike7777777]

The friend whom I picked up at Stratford B.R. very visibly/obviously (by features and dress) belongs, fwiw, to the most demonised of the UK's 20th century minority ethnic groups. My friend blanched too at the (milder) treatment meted out to us on my return through Stratford's Checkpoint Charlie.

The Jews?

I've been through the steering wheel swab thing at Canary Wharf, I sometimes wonder if it would pick-up residue from November 5th. "They" have also checked the boot, the contents of which didn't seem to disturb them (cables, batteries etc)

[mike848]

The friend whom I picked up at Stratford B.R. very visibly/obviously (by features and dress) belongs, fwiw, to the most demonised of the UK's 20th century minority ethnic groups

The Jews?

No - while the Jews were certainly demonised in the UK in centuries long past, in the 20th century they weren't harassed much in the UK, Moseley's fascists excepted. Their demonisation has recommenced, though, if Red Ken is a bellwether.
It was a Uni friend whom I hadn't met for decades and who went from being an atheist back then to a practising Muslim, dressed hijab-style (i.e. all covered, except for the front of the face) - quite a surprise for me!
Note the treatment I got at Checkpoint Charlie Stratford was worse when I was alone in the car; maybe on my return trip I was recognised, which is why they didn't go quite as far.

So, establishing a presence to lull them into a sense of security before you do the bomb run?

This post has been edited by mike848: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 - 19:00

[jobo]

br is this a railway station or what

[Roverboy]

Believe me, as an ex private security officer I can tell you many security companies are not fussy who they take on as long as your "legal" and don't make a fuss.

99% of contract security work is now minimum wage, and done by "ethnic" workers, as the natives (me) won't do it anymore as the money (minimum wage) is an insult for the responsibility, cr@p hours, nights and 12 to 14 hour shifts. I could get more per hour, doing 9 to 5, and no nights/shifts or risk collecting trolleys at Morrisons.

I compare the security industry today to the London buses and Tube of the 50/60's when because British workers wouldn't work for the money and conditions they brought the Jamaicans into the country to do it.

This post has been edited by Roverboy: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 - 19:21

[mike848]

Given the very high terrorist risk the Olympics have I think it is fair to step up security as no-one wants an attack, do they?

Not keeping on invading Muslim countries with little or no excuse, while at the same time encouraging uncontrolled immigration from non-integrated and no-wish-to-be-integrated individuals, is not a small part of the problem. Rearranging the deck chairs ain't going to help.

[jimster]

Believe me, as an ex private security officer I can tell you many security companies are not fussy who they take on as long as your "legal" and don't make a fuss.

99% of contract security work is now minimum wage, and done by "ethnic" workers, as the natives (me) won't do it anymore as the money (minimum wage) is an insult for the responsibility, cr@p hours, nights and 12 to 14 hour shifts. I could get more per hour, doing 9 to 5, and no nights/shifts or risk collecting trolleys at Morrisons.

I compare the security industry today to the London buses and Tube of the 50/60's when because British workers wouldn't work for the money and conditions they brought the Jamaicans into the country to do it.

That makes it sound like uncontrolled immigration from third world countries was encouraged to supply cheap labour and drive down wages / conditions for the rest of us?

Surely not?

[sgtdixie]

A couple of months ago I needed a plumber urgently. All the usual local ones wanted a fortune and would come next week. Friend put me on to a Polish guy. He was brilliant. Worked hard, worked well and asked for an honest fee.

Not all foreign workers are a negative for society.

[jimster]

A couple of months ago I needed a plumber urgently. All the usual local ones wanted a fortune and would come next week. Friend put me on to a Polish guy. He was brilliant. Worked hard, worked well and asked for an honest fee.

Not all foreign workers are a negative for society.

What did you need done urgently? .... what was the fortune quote, and what did the Pole do it for?

The local boys may have had overheads like tax, national insurance, staff wages etc. that's why they can't compete price-wise with cash in hand lads. Doesn't the "cowboy trap" program tell us not to trust builders etc. who can turn up at the drop of a hat?



Anyway .... plumbing is really easy for anybody with basic DIY skills

[Glitch]

I would suggest it is not DNA swab. The precautions you have to take to prevent contamination and ensure the swab relates to an identifiable person are beyond private security. It also takes several weeks and a lot of money to do the DNA test. If they did it what would it show. Several weeks ago a person they have swabbed before went shopping.

I think it will logically be swab for explosives (not my area so not sure exactly what they can analyse). This is common at airports and once the swab is taken it takes a couple of minutes to get a result.

Personally I have no issue with being swabbed but if someone did it without asking they would be told where to go and I would shop elsewhere.

Given the very high terrorist risk the Olympics have I think it is fair to step up security as no-one wants an attack, do they?

Only a mild inconvenience for me. What annoys me is the guy just leaning in the car and doing it without explanation or asking permission.

...the most demonised of the UK's 20th century minority ethnic groups...

White, middle aged, GINGER, working class single men?

A couple of months ago I needed a plumber urgently. All the usual local ones wanted a fortune and would come next week. Friend put me on to a Polish guy. He was brilliant. Worked hard, worked well and asked for an honest fee.

Not all foreign workers are a negative for society

Can't disagree with that. The Polish in particular seem willing to work hard.

Annoying though that the builders at the Olympic site used a majority of foreign (cheap) workers when they should be ensuring a larger percentage go to the indigenous population. Newham insisted that a percentage of jobs went to locals at Westfield Stratford. However the standard was pretty low and John Lewis had to arrange classes to help locals get through the application and interviews.

[Transit man]

Can't disagree with that. The Polish in particular seem willing to work hard.

I meet some of the most unhelpful people driving fork lift trucks, everything is too much trouble for them, including the most basic pleasantries. I often think that if I hated a job as much as they do, I would simply walk out.

But whenever you meet a Polish or other east European driver, they are always pleasant & will go out of their way to assist you, even if the language barrier is there, you will never get a "jobsworth" attitude from them. And as these are working for large companies, they are paying there dues to this country.

One example, once a week I deliver to a large newspaper & magazine distributor, if I arrive before 10 pm, a young (& not unattractive ) polish girl, greets me with a smile & helps unload, which in this case is by hand not fork lift. If I arrive after 10 pm when she has finished her shift, if lucky, I get a few grunts from the white, British workers who will watch me unload by myself, even though they are waiting for the magazines, if asked why they couldn't help if they are in a hurry "not my job mate" is the best reaction you will hope to get. After unloading, they insist that I find an elusive manager to sign the proof of delivery note as it's not their job to sign anything, not the Polish girl (did I say she is very attractive? ) she just signs, smiles & wishes me a safe onward journey.

This post has been edited by Transit man: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 - 07:03

[Glitch]

polish girl, greets me with a smile & helps [me] unload, which in this case is by hand

Yeah I get your drift. Good looking Polish girl helping you unload by hand.

[jdh]

polish girl, greets me with a smile & helps [me] unload, which in this case is by hand

Yeah I get your drift. Good looking Polish girl helping you unload by hand.

That bit's understandable, it's the White British blokes watching him unload himself while they wait for their magazines that worry me

[Transit man]

polish girl, greets me with a smile & helps [me] unload, which in this case is by hand

Yeah I get your drift. Good looking Polish girl helping you unload by hand.

As a happily married man I take issue with that inuendo , but did I say, she IS very attractive

That bit's understandable, it's the White British blokes watching him unload himself while they wait for their magazines that worry me

Whatever turns them on, but I reckon they must be closet bankers, as I am delivering the Economist magazine BTW, did anyone read last weeks issue. I have been awaiting GBs take on it

But whilst on the inferred subject of "magazines" it does absolutely amaze me the number of, shall we say "top rack magazines" that the distributors well, distribute, we are not talking a few hundred, but many pallets full, each pallet possibly carrying 10-15,000 copies, it amazes me who are buying them all & no, it's not me

This post has been edited by Transit man: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 - 15:09

[sgtdixie]

I believe porn is the most used part of the internet, but no-one ever looks at it. Strange that.

[Transit man]

I believe porn is the most used part of the internet, but no-one ever looks at it. Strange that.

Probably accidental viewing, my interest in ornithology often gets some very strange google hits whilst I try to establish the definitive difference between marsh & coal ****

Edit:- Blimey, the censor on this board is now objecting to my favourite bird table visitors, so I'll encode it, I just love to watch the great t*ts on my bird table

This post has been edited by Transit man: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 - 08:38

[albert2008]

one tried parking in Skegness car park with a camper van,

sorry not allowed,
just stopping afternoon,
your not allowed in,
ok, can you get the queue of cars to reverse,
no, but you can go in the turn round,
sorry, you said not allowed in, are you saying I can go in and park,
no,
ok, can you get the queue of cars to reverse,


and made him reverse the queue out of the way then parked on road in "free all day" bay,

[Neil B]

Anyone know if the Westfield Stratford site is private property, or patrolled by LBN?

I often wait at a "Bus Stop" bay - no buses stop there, not an official stop.

Only seen private security patrolling, often parke din same bay and never seen a CEO.

Keep expecting to get a ticket through CCTV but nothing yet.

Owned by Westfield themselves, as is the local shopping centre opposite. Nowt to do with LBN.

Haven't looked to see who the ppc is - I assume there is one?

[Glitch]

Anyone know if the Westfield Stratford site is private property, or patrolled by LBN?

I often wait at a "Bus Stop" bay - no buses stop there, not an official stop.

Only seen private security patrolling, often parke din same bay and never seen a CEO.

Keep expecting to get a ticket through CCTV but nothing yet.

Owned by Westfield themselves, as is the local shopping centre opposite. Nowt to do with LBN.

Haven't looked to see who the ppc is - I assume there is one?

No sign of a PPC and no parking signs or warning signs anywhere on the site though lots of double yellows which I assume have no meaning whatsoever. However I am sure that any vehicle will be towed pretty quickly.

There is a sign I noticed yesterday that says summat about "no right of way" and "normal traffic regulations apply".

polish girl, greets me with a smile & helps [me] unload, which in this case is by hand

Yeah I get your drift. Good looking Polish girl helping you unload by hand.

As a happily married man I take issue with that inuendo , but did I say, she IS very attractive

That bit's understandable, it's the White British blokes watching him unload himself while they wait for their magazines that worry me

Whatever turns them on, but I reckon they must be closet bankers, as I am delivering the Economist magazine BTW, did anyone read last weeks issue. I have been awaiting GBs take on it

But whilst on the inferred subject of "magazines" it does absolutely amaze me the number of, shall we say "top rack magazines" that the distributors well, distribute, we are not talking a few hundred, but many pallets full, each pallet possibly carrying 10-15,000 copies, it amazes me who are buying them all & no, it's not me

"After unloading, they insist that I find an elusive manager to sign the proof of delivery"

Seems a tad pedantic but not surprised he is elusive if he has to sign soggy tissues