Warning - Aberdeen & Dundee

[Cherrylips]

It seems that Grampian & Tayside Police have taken it upon themselves to trace the movements of WG’s visiting their areas and pay them a visit. There have been several incidents brought to light over the last few days which include plain clothes police officers arriving at hotels and apartments with details of the ladies working names, sometimes photographic evidence – face pics taken from private galleries on websites.

One lady described how she opened the door presuming it was house-keeping, only to be confronted by officers of the law addressing her by her working name. The room was checked for visitors, she was asked to put her money away in front of one of them (presumably so they couldn’t be accused of theft),  asked her name, address, place of birth, husband’s name and maiden name. After a PNC radio check she was told they were aware of visitors she’d had and her comings and goings of that day.  They mentioned management at the hotel had informed them.

 However, what followed afterwards is most intriguing and worrying:-
“They then insisted they take a photograph of me. I was informed it was just for their file in case anything should happen to me on future visits. They mentioned they wanted to know who everyone was. This consisted of one of the officers using a video camera and him asking me to state my real name, date of birth and my working name to the camera. They then assisted me as I packed my stuff (hotel management had asked them to ask me to leave) and were very chatty and friendly asking me what I was going to do next. They politely assisted me from the building giving me a card and asking me to call if I was visiting the area again as he wanted to be made aware”

[EmilyJones]

...WHAT?

Ugh, I don't have anything useful to add except bewilderment. Did the escort see their ID? Or is a "PNC radio check" a police thing? Sorry, I have literally never even spoken to a police officer or bothered to find out about them, what with having faith in the UK's law enforcement systems not to violate too many bloody human rights at once. *rants*

What are the legal ideas behind all this?

[amy]

This will come as no news to a few of us and attempts are being made to ascertain exactly what is going on. The UKNSWP, the IUSW and Liberty have all been made aware of developments. May I remind ladies once again that this is a public board and visible to anyone, and I recommend that anyone who is concerned and would like more details avail themselves of these via PM.

[airporthoneys]

I cannot imagine that VICE would be overjoyed about this either?

[amy]

I cannot imagine that VICE would be overjoyed about this either?

Why not? Do explain.