[pogo101]

Chief Fire Officer with Avon Fire and Rescue Service Kevin Pearson ... said: "There was no justifiable reason for that appliance to be in that location at that time."

So the charge is that the fire crew took a fire vehicle on a special, "let's go surprise some buggerers at that one spot" trip.

If that is true, then some punishment IS in order. Fire crews shouldn't take emergency equipment on such "missions."

But what if it's not true?

And, regardless, how about some punishment (a ticket?? at least??) for the lads in the spotlight? Weren't they breaking the law?

[NYFriend]

It’s correct that this article said these firemen took their vehicle out for no reasons, and then found these four men. Why did they take the vehicle out? The charge that it was homophobia makes it sound like they took the vehicle out to look for and spotlight homosexuals. If that is the case, then they should be punished. You can’t have emergency equipment out-of-service because some guys are goofing off.

[Stoat]

Chief Fire Officer with Avon Fire and Rescue Service Kevin Pearson ... said: "There was no justifiable reason for that appliance to be in that location at that time."

So the charge is that the fire crew took a fire vehicle on a special, "let's go surprise some buggerers at that one spot" trip.

If that is true, then some punishment IS in order. Fire crews shouldn't take emergency equipment on such "missions."

From the article:

"The firemen - formerly members of Avon Fire Service's Blue Watch at Avonmouth station in Bristol - stumbled upon the session near Circular Road on the Downs in Bristol."

and

"The men had been returning to Avonmouth Fire Station from Bristol's main Temple Fire Station, where they had been called in to cover for other firefighters answering 999 calls. "

By law they are required to investigate a matter that may involve a member of the public at risk.  From the article's account, what it sounds like is that one of them spotted some movement in the bushes and they stopped to investigate.  After all, it could have been an injured person and / or a crime victim who needed help.  Why else should someone be in the bushes late at night?  It's not a normal, legitimate place for an uncompromised person to be.  To have seen that and then to continue on their way without investigating it would have been a gross dereliction of their duty.

But what if it's not true?

It appears that the complainants have admitted it to be true.

And, regardless, how about some punishment (a ticket?? at least??) for the lads in the spotlight? Weren't they breaking the law?

Yes they were breaking the law, and the article states that they will not be prosecuted.  The reason why was not disclosed, but it is implied that it's because they were 'harassed' by these 'evil and homophobic' firemen.

Chief Fire Officer with Avon Fire and Rescue Service Kevin Pearson ... said: "There was no justifiable reason for that appliance to be in that location at that time."

So the charge is that the fire crew took a fire vehicle on a special, "let's go surprise some buggerers at that one spot" trip.

If that is true, then some punishment IS in order. Fire crews shouldn't take emergency equipment on such "missions."

From the article:

"The firemen - formerly members of Avon Fire Service's Blue Watch at Avonmouth station in Bristol - stumbled upon the session near Circular Road on the Downs in Bristol."

and

"The men had been returning to Avonmouth Fire Station from Bristol's main Temple Fire Station, where they had been called in to cover for other firefighters answering 999 calls. "

By law they are required to investigate a matter that may involve a member of the public at risk.  From the article's account, what it sounds like is that one of them spotted some movement in the bushes and they stopped to investigate.  After all, it could have been an injured person and / or a crime victim who needed help.  Why else should someone be in the bushes late at night?  It's not a normal, legitimate place for an uncompromised person to be.  To have seen that and then to continue on their way without investigating it would have been a gross dereliction of their duty.

But what if it's not true?

It appears that the complainants have admitted it to be true.

And, regardless, how about some punishment (a ticket?? at least??) for the lads in the spotlight? Weren't they breaking the law?