Hotel Inspector

[Eli]

Did anyone watch the ‘Hotel Inspector’ this week?

It was set in a Blackpool hotel and within the first minute or two I noticed several fire safety issues. Obstructed final exit, wedged open fire door, a curtain that was all over a plug socket and water dripping through an electric light fitting. 

Simple question!

Under legislation could the FRS enforce on this TV evidence if they wanted to?

[nearlythere]

Did anyone watch the ‘Hotel Inspector’ this week?

It was set in a Blackpool hotel and within the first minute or two I noticed several fire safety issues. Obstructed final exit, wedged open fire door, a curtain that was all over a plug socket and water dripping through an electric light fitting.  

Simple question!

Under legislation could the FRS enforce on this TV evidence if they wanted to?

Don't see why not. Good video evidence.
Haven't the police successfully prosecuted motor bike riders who have videoed their own speeding exploits posted on youtube?

[Dinnertime Dave]

I noticed a wedged open fire door to a bedroom but was this because a camera crew had walked backward into the room. Would you not see this in most large hotels when housekeeping are cleaning rooms everyday. In the event of a fire they push the trolley into the room and leave the building.

What I have real issues with is how do hotels receive a star rating on whether there is an ironing board or trouser press but do not have fire alarms or fire resistance? 

[CivvyFSO]

Enforce or prosecute?

[Midland Retty]

Under legislation could the FRS enforce on this TV evidence if they wanted to?

Short answer is probably, if you mean in terms of informal enforcement, but to take forward a prosecution based on TV footage alone would be a different matter altogether.

[AnthonyB]

It would/should if brought to their attention trigger an audit of the premises from which they could happily defect/enforce/prohibit/prosecute as they see fit based on the findings - I can't see them not visiting  and taking purely remote action.

[kurnal]

I agree with Anthony. I dont believe the matters broadcast could be used as evidence as there can be no continuity of evidence in accordance with PACE. Similarly for enforcement action the film may be historic and the matters may already have been rectified.

[facades]

Me thinks your watching the hotel inspector for all the wrong reasons Eli 

[CivvyFSO]

I agree with Anthony. I dont believe the matters broadcast could be used as evidence as there can be no continuity of evidence in accordance with PACE.

As mentioned earlier, the police have used Youtube clips as evidence before in successful prosecutions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7254599.stm

In the hotel case mentioned here, I think that the difficulty would lie in proving persons were actually put at risk. The footage would prove that a door was blocked, it doesn't prove that people were put at risk.

[nearlythere]

I agree with Anthony. I dont believe the matters broadcast could be used as evidence as there can be no continuity of evidence in accordance with PACE.

As mentioned earlier, the police have used Youtube clips as evidence before in successful prosecutions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7254599.stm

In the hotel case mentioned here, I think that the difficulty would lie in proving persons were actually put at risk. The footage would prove that a door was blocked, it doesn't prove that people were put at risk.

Was it not blocked for the Inspector and anyone who would have been behind the camera.

[Eli]

Me thinks your watching the hotel inspector for all the wrong reasons Eli 

Does someone like Alex Polizzi?

[Dinnertime Dave]

Me thinks your watching the hotel inspector for all the wrong reasons Eli 

Does someone like Alex Polizzi?

Not really she spends far too much time lying naked in the jacuzzi for me

[TFEM]

Must have missed that episode.
John

[Midland Retty]

I agree with Anthony. I dont believe the matters broadcast could be used as evidence as there can be no continuity of evidence in accordance with PACE. Similarly for enforcement action the film may be historic and the matters may already have been rectified.

Maybe but its not to say that the evidence can't be used for informal enforcement

You couldn't use it for prosecution purposes however

[CivvyFSO]

I agree with Anthony. I dont believe the matters broadcast could be used as evidence as there can be no continuity of evidence in accordance with PACE. Similarly for enforcement action the film may be historic and the matters may already have been rectified.

Maybe but its not to say that the evidence can't be used for informal enforcement

You couldn't use it for prosecution purposes however

Why not? Why do you need to prove continuity of evidence from something whereby the original would be easy to source to ensure that it hasn't been tampered with? Haven't the papers issued pictures of rioters/hooligans etc in order to trace them and assist the police in prosecutions? If it hasn't been done in accordance with PACE then it may be harder as the validity is easier to question, but that does not negate the possiblity of proving the validity.