Tom Shaw thrown off train at Fareham for writing down song by The Killers (From Daily Echo)
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Tom Shaw thrown off train at Fareham for writing down song by The Killers
3:03pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in
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- By Jon Reeve » Education Reporter
A HAMPSHIRE musician was forced off a train for "behaving suspiciously" - by writing down a list of songs.
Bassist Tom Shaw, who also works as a support worker for young people with disabilities in Southampton, said he was approached by two security staff and asked to explain his actions as he compiled a playlist for his band's forthcoming gig.
The list contained the word "killers", because his group, The Magic Mushrooms, cover The Killers' hit All These Things That I've Done as part of their set.
As his train arrived at Fareham railway station, two South West Trains officials asked him to get off, saying he had been behaving suspiciously and asking him to explain what he had been writing.
Other songs on his list included Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand, Cigarettes and Alcohol by Oasis and Love Me Like You by The Magic Numbers.
The 25-year-old said he was told he was questioned because there had been several arrests in the area, including a man who had murdered his wife.
He was made to explain what each song on his list meant.
A South West Trains spokeswoman said Mr Shaw was asked politely to leave the train because it was busy and the officers wished to speak to him about their concerns.
She added: "We employ a team of highly professional rail community officers who work closely with the British Transport Police in protecting the security of passengers on the rail network.
"During a routine high-visibility patrol back in early March, they talked with a passenger on the platform at Fareham station.
"The team clarified the nature of the individual's business, were satisfied with his explanation and the man went on his way.
"We would like to thank the passenger for his co-operation and understanding of the need to be vigilant in the current environment."
Comments(20)
hulla baloo
says...
3:25pm Wed 17 Mar 10
Victimise the innocent and look after the offenders.
Roll on the election.
Bartonian
says...
3:30pm Wed 17 Mar 10
DCM
says...
3:32pm Wed 17 Mar 10
hulla baloo wrote:Don't be so dramatic. They just asked him a few questions, that's all. He wasn't vicitimised, the security guys were just doing their job.
Welcome to Browns Liebour and control policies. Victimise the innocent and look after the offenders. Roll on the election.
Also, I wouldn't necessarily take this report at face value either, the Echo isn't exactly renowned for its accuracy is it!
OSPREYSAINT
says...
3:33pm Wed 17 Mar 10
hulla baloo
says...
3:46pm Wed 17 Mar 10
DCM wrote:Could have asked him the questions on the train, and had an answer in ten seconds.
hulla baloo wrote: Welcome to Browns Liebour and control policies. Victimise the innocent and look after the offenders. Roll on the election.Don't be so dramatic. They just asked him a few questions, that's all. He wasn't vicitimised, the security guys were just doing their job. Also, I wouldn't necessarily take this report at face value either, the Echo isn't exactly renowned for its accuracy is it!
Yet they had to remove him, and probably made him late for his journey.
v_dubman2005
says...
3:47pm Wed 17 Mar 10
DCM
says...
3:50pm Wed 17 Mar 10
hulla baloo wrote:Nowhere does it say he missed his train - you'd think he might have mentioned that in the interview if he had?
DCM wrote:Could have asked him the questions on the train, and had an answer in ten seconds. Yet they had to remove him, and probably made him late for his journey.hulla baloo wrote: Welcome to Browns Liebour and control policies. Victimise the innocent and look after the offenders. Roll on the election.Don't be so dramatic. They just asked him a few questions, that's all. He wasn't vicitimised, the security guys were just doing their job. Also, I wouldn't necessarily take this report at face value either, the Echo isn't exactly renowned for its accuracy is it!
As the story said he was politely asked to leave to be questioned because the train was busy and they didn't want everyone listening in and assuming the guy had done something wrong.
More than likely the train was waiting at the station while he was questioned.
v_dubman2005
says...
3:57pm Wed 17 Mar 10
DCM wrote:Well its no wonder so many trains are late is it. Every time someone is doing something suspicious (like writing) the train is held at the station whilst the suspected terrorist is questioned on the platform. Since when is writing a reason to question someone? Perhaps you should be questioned for typing your post.
hulla baloo wrote:Nowhere does it say he missed his train - you'd think he might have mentioned that in the interview if he had?
DCM wrote:Could have asked him the questions on the train, and had an answer in ten seconds. Yet they had to remove him, and probably made him late for his journey.hulla baloo wrote: Welcome to Browns Liebour and control policies. Victimise the innocent and look after the offenders. Roll on the election.Don't be so dramatic. They just asked him a few questions, that's all. He wasn't vicitimised, the security guys were just doing their job. Also, I wouldn't necessarily take this report at face value either, the Echo isn't exactly renowned for its accuracy is it!
As the story said he was politely asked to leave to be questioned because the train was busy and they didn't want everyone listening in and assuming the guy had done something wrong.
More than likely the train was waiting at the station while he was questioned.
X Old Bill
says...
4:15pm Wed 17 Mar 10
The term 'Acting suspiciously' can be interpreted at two extremes;
The subject says: 'All I was doing was writing things down'.
The Security staff see: A man looking around him, sometimes staring into space, sometimes staring at other passengers, then hurriedly writing down brief notes which he is carefully concealing, all the while appearing agitated and edgy, one of the words written is seen to be 'killers'.
Both side are right in their own way, and if he had been stopped by a real Policeman would he even have mentioned it? It depends how much publicity he wants doesn't it?
gillyman
says...
4:22pm Wed 17 Mar 10
Shoong
says...
4:51pm Wed 17 Mar 10
Georgem
says...
6:01pm Wed 17 Mar 10
But something tells me there's more to this story than is reported here.
soton1980
says...
6:02pm Wed 17 Mar 10
Georgem
says...
6:07pm Wed 17 Mar 10
soton1980 wrote:Me too. I'll take my chances with the terrorists, thanks. None of these supposed security measures actually work. The endless pain of everyone being thoroughly searched every time they want to get on a plane didn't stop someone boarding one with a bomb recently, did it? Most CCTV evidence ends up being deemed inadmissible in court, or if it is admissible, proves inconclusive, so it's most effective use is to counter the oh-so-heinous rampant suburban wheelie-bin abuse.
It sounds like these two members of staff were being overzealous and the power had gone to their heads. However, if it's a choice between rare incidents like these happening in order to stop terrorists or wierdos and someone being killed on our trains then I know which one I would choose.
Scrutinizer
says...
9:46pm Wed 17 Mar 10
bigronthestaff
says...
5:48am Thu 18 Mar 10
Gladbachsaint
says...
12:45pm Thu 18 Mar 10
This will be the same type of professional that insists on me taking my boots and belt off at the airport and confiscates my deodorant, shower gel and contact lense fluid.
What did they think he was writing down ? Perhaps he was monitoring the buffet trolley with the intention of planting a bomb to blow it up then run off with the salt and vinegar crisps.
jimbobbo
says...
1:18pm Thu 18 Mar 10
v_dubman2005
says...
3:20pm Thu 18 Mar 10
DCM wrote:The report is now on the Beeb's website and due to the action of these two morons he was over an hour late for work. So, it would appear you are wrong.........again.
hulla baloo wrote:Nowhere does it say he missed his train - you'd think he might have mentioned that in the interview if he had?
DCM wrote:Could have asked him the questions on the train, and had an answer in ten seconds. Yet they had to remove him, and probably made him late for his journey.hulla baloo wrote: Welcome to Browns Liebour and control policies. Victimise the innocent and look after the offenders. Roll on the election.Don't be so dramatic. They just asked him a few questions, that's all. He wasn't vicitimised, the security guys were just doing their job. Also, I wouldn't necessarily take this report at face value either, the Echo isn't exactly renowned for its accuracy is it!
As the story said he was politely asked to leave to be questioned because the train was busy and they didn't want everyone listening in and assuming the guy had done something wrong.
More than likely the train was waiting at the station while he was questioned.
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GoodnessGraciousMe says...
3:10pm Wed 17 Mar 10