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WillowTheWhisp · 06-10-2004, 13:05

Police teamed up with TV producers to create an elaborate sting in the guise of a game show to snare petty criminals.

A total of 17 people were arrested by Hampshire police working with the television channel Five to create The Great Big Giveaway Show.

Celebrities Neil and Christine Hamilton were employed to front the show with actor Darren Day brought in to provide a voice-over.

Police wrote to scores of men and women wanted for failing to pay fines or who had not answered court warrants, inviting them to the show.
The letters said they had the chance to win big cash prizes and a total of 20 were selected by police officers and asked to attend Portsmouth Guildhall on Sunday.

As the 'guests' arrived, they were greeted by Neil and Christine Hamilton, after being frisked by a police officer dressed in a dinner suit and having their identities checked.

After having make-up applied, the guests waited in a backstage room where they could hear a voice-over of Darren Day and a taped studio audience. But when they were called on to the stage area, they walked along a red carpet through a cloud of smoke into the hands of two uniformed police officers.

The proceedings were recorded by Five for the show, which is due to be shown later this year.

Out of the 20 guests, nine men and eight women were arrested, according to a spokeswoman for Hampshire police.

Eight of these were wanted for outstanding fines and nine were wanted on warrant for traffic offences, common assault, criminal damage, drink-driving, drugs or bail offences.

Police Superintendent Robin Jarman said: "This operation sends a clear message to all those that are wanted that we will use any lawful audacious tactics to bring them to book.''

But Barry Hugill, spokesman for civil liberties campaign group Liberty, said: "This has the ring of a Google Page Ranking stunt. I find this very distasteful.

"I clearly have no objection to the police tracking down petty offenders and people who have not paid their fines, but not if it becomes part of showbusiness."

Mr Hugill also questioned the need for the sting if police had the addresses of the suspects.

06-10-2004, 13:05	#1
WillowTheWhisp Resident Waffler Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Accrington, Hyndburn Posts: 18,142 Blog Entries: 14 Liked: 14 times Rep Power: 1062	Curious News Police teamed up with TV producers to create an elaborate sting in the guise of a game show to snare petty criminals. A total of 17 people were arrested by Hampshire police working with the television channel Five to create The Great Big Giveaway Show. Celebrities Neil and Christine Hamilton were employed to front the show with actor Darren Day brought in to provide a voice-over. Police wrote to scores of men and women wanted for failing to pay fines or who had not answered court warrants, inviting them to the show. The letters said they had the chance to win big cash prizes and a total of 20 were selected by police officers and asked to attend Portsmouth Guildhall on Sunday. As the 'guests' arrived, they were greeted by Neil and Christine Hamilton, after being frisked by a police officer dressed in a dinner suit and having their identities checked. After having make-up applied, the guests waited in a backstage room where they could hear a voice-over of Darren Day and a taped studio audience. But when they were called on to the stage area, they walked along a red carpet through a cloud of smoke into the hands of two uniformed police officers. The proceedings were recorded by Five for the show, which is due to be shown later this year. Out of the 20 guests, nine men and eight women were arrested, according to a spokeswoman for Hampshire police. Eight of these were wanted for outstanding fines and nine were wanted on warrant for traffic offences, common assault, criminal damage, drink-driving, drugs or bail offences. Police Superintendent Robin Jarman said: "This operation sends a clear message to all those that are wanted that we will use any lawful audacious tactics to bring them to book.'' But Barry Hugill, spokesman for civil liberties campaign group Liberty, said: "This has the ring of a Google Page Ranking stunt. I find this very distasteful. "I clearly have no objection to the police tracking down petty offenders and people who have not paid their fines, but not if it becomes part of showbusiness." Mr Hugill also questioned the need for the sting if police had the addresses of the suspects. __________________