Portuguese tourism to suffer?
Posted by: Rasher on 08 May 2007
You can't help but wonder if the performance of the Portuguese police is going to anger a great deal of potential visitors this summer and send them elsewhere. I can see this matter costing the country dearly this year in tourism.
It seems incredible to me that they have a E-fit picture of the abductor, but won't release it because it would be against their law. It certainly doesn't show the country in a good light to me anyway, and it certainly doesn't give me confidence that their police force are much good in a crisis. The world is watching very closely.
I know it shouldn't matter, but I think to a lot of people it will.
It seems incredible to me that they have a E-fit picture of the abductor, but won't release it because it would be against their law. It certainly doesn't show the country in a good light to me anyway, and it certainly doesn't give me confidence that their police force are much good in a crisis. The world is watching very closely.
I know it shouldn't matter, but I think to a lot of people it will.
Posted on: 08 May 2007 by acad tsunami
quote:Posted Wed 09 May 2007 00:32
It seems incredible to me that they have a E-fit picture of the abductor, but won't release it because it would be against their law.
That is absolutely barking mad lunacy. I am sure you are right - some people won't go there on holiday. I have e-mailed the Portugese Embassy in London to complain.
Here
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by BigH47
Parents put their child at risk and the local police get panned. Go figure.
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by Rasher
The parents are paying the ultimate price for their mistake and I'm sure they'll never forgive themselves, but that isn't what we're talking about here.
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by Bob McC
No we're talking about the unbelievable arrogance of the British who criticise another country's ways.
When in Rome etc..
When in Rome etc..
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by Roy T
Bob,
I agree 100% with your views although they may be an unfashionable when compared to that offered by the media redtop or otherwise.
I agree 100% with your views although they may be an unfashionable when compared to that offered by the media redtop or otherwise.
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by acad tsunami
quote:Originally posted by bob mccluckie:
No we're talking about the unbelievable arrogance of the British who criticise another country's ways.
When in Rome etc..
No we are not, we are criticising police incompetence not another country's culture.
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by Phil Cork
I think that what you term incompetence is dependent upon how you measure competence.
Measuring the competence of a rural police force in a foreign Country againt a yardstick governed by the actions of the police in your own Country is ill-advised.
What if they'd been holidaying on Phi Phi Island in Thailand? The portugese response would look positively dynamic compared with that.
We travel the world extremely easily these days and sometimes forget that the support (police, hospitals etc) in foreign lands is not the same as our own. A harsh reminder...
phil
Measuring the competence of a rural police force in a foreign Country againt a yardstick governed by the actions of the police in your own Country is ill-advised.
What if they'd been holidaying on Phi Phi Island in Thailand? The portugese response would look positively dynamic compared with that.
We travel the world extremely easily these days and sometimes forget that the support (police, hospitals etc) in foreign lands is not the same as our own. A harsh reminder...
phil
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by Polarbear
Once again we look to shift the responsibility of our own actions.
Is it not the responsibility of the parents to make sure your children are safe. It seems to me more and more people want children but don't want to look after them.
It is not our place to criticise another country's police force. I am sure they are doing their best under the circumastances. They are not British police and its unfair to judge tem according to our standards.
We should respect our police force more and be gratefull we do live in a very efficient society. Perhaps when we go to places that don't have the same efficiency we should act more appropriately,
Regards
PB
Is it not the responsibility of the parents to make sure your children are safe. It seems to me more and more people want children but don't want to look after them.
It is not our place to criticise another country's police force. I am sure they are doing their best under the circumastances. They are not British police and its unfair to judge tem according to our standards.
We should respect our police force more and be gratefull we do live in a very efficient society. Perhaps when we go to places that don't have the same efficiency we should act more appropriately,
Regards
PB
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by acad tsunami
My criticism is this and only this - if they have an e-fit picture of the suspect they should make it public. What good is it otherwise? Of course it might look like every other Portugese chap of a certain age and therefore be next to useless in which case why did the police announce they had a e-fit picture in the first place? Portugal is not the third world. My criticism is justified.
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by Bob McC
Not in Portugal apparently.
Anyway its not that long ago that 3 prisoners escaped in the UK and the police wouldn't publish their photographs.
Anyway its not that long ago that 3 prisoners escaped in the UK and the police wouldn't publish their photographs.
Posted on: 09 May 2007 by Phil Cork
quote:Originally posted by acad tsunami:
My criticism is this and only this - if they have an e-fit picture of the suspect they should make it public. What good is it otherwise? Of course it might look like every other Portugese chap of a certain age and therefore be next to useless in which case why did the police announce they had a e-fit picture in the first place? Portugal is not the third world. My criticism is justified.
I understand from the media that the e-fit picture was a view from behind and therefore of limited value. Also knowledge that police have an accurate picture may make the abductor panic and potentially put the girl in increased danger? Different police forces obviously have different takes on this. One has to ask why the british police have so much experiece in this area? Perhaps the portugese are less well versed in this because it very rarely happens. Is not prevention better than cure?
Whether or not we agree with the decision not to release it there are potential reasons why it was witheld...
You ask 'what's the use of it otherwise'. Do remember that it has actually been shown to local people who might actually have seen the guy, if not the world media. What use it is to show it to you and I? not a lot
The British media are whipping up a frenzied attack on the Portugese police as they're an easy target. To blame the parents would probably be unpopular and sell less papers - shame on them.
PB - precisely!
Phil