Griff, you have nothing to be ashamed of, quite the reverse. If you had decked someone you would not be online talking to us, you would be in the nick and your family would be facing even more problems than they are already. You are all to be commended for not letting this escalate into violence which the idiots were clearly trying to provoke. As I see it, the man had failed to get your dad to lose his cool by confronting him so was hoping that abusing you would do the trick.
Regarding the police, they are a mixed bunch and some are better than others at assessing a situation. Some have not got a clue. When I called the police last night about the illegal fishermen the first officer I spoke with sounded very young. He told me that it was a council matter and had nothing to do with the police. I explained that all of us wardens had been briefed by the river authority enforcement officer, and it certainly was a police matter if no river bailiff was around. The river bailiffs have more powers than the police. He then asked me to hold while he consulted another officer. Then told me that a police unit was on its way, and took the culprits' reg numbers.
Happy birthday to the wonderful Archie xx
The meeces are back. Caught and removed 2 last night and one this morning.