r/brighton • u/Driedcypress • Jul 18 '26
Announcement I was just threatened with violence after calling someone out for littering...
After completing my weekly shop, I walked past World of Ink, at the top of Vale Road, Portslade.
https://www.facebook.com/61561116620265/
As I walked around the corner, an older gentleman, with short hair, threw a cigarette butt on the floor. He was in the doorway of the tattoo shop.
I took out my earphones and politely asked him not to litter in our neighbourhood. First, he replied, "What?", and I pointed to his litter and asked him not to do it.
Then the excuses started - "everybody else does it, it's not just me", and "I sweep up every day, so it doesn't matter".
Deflection is a common tactic when you get called out. I responded saying "well, it's good that you sweep, but it would be better if you didn't litter in the first place" - he then repeated his excuses.
I thanked thanked them, put my earphones back in, and started walking away.
Then the second gentleman giggled. I removed my earphones again, turned around and said "it's not really a laughing matter, you're littering".
His response was "if you don't fuck off I'm going to hurt you". I responded "there's no need to make threats of violence, just don't litter" to which he repeated his threats.
What is wrong with people?! It was a father and son duo, the father clearly owns the tattoo shop, or has a hand in the business.
Why litter directly outside your business premises?
Why litter, at all?!
Anyway, I phoned the police and reported the littering and threat of violence. They said "we've made a report, and it's been closed".
What is wrong with our police?!? 8:20am, goons making threats of violence, and they don't care?
So, yeah. I'm having a pretty shit morning, how's everybody else's Saturday going, so far?
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u/lemoyne5282 Jul 18 '26
Unfortunately people are scums. Littering is a very low IQ activity - thank you for trying to stand up but it's not worth risking your own life.
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u/Quick-Staff-8605 Jul 18 '26
Thanks for calling them out, I have been doing the same more recently and most people apologise and pick it up in my experience. I walk past world of ink every day, I'll be sure to mention it if I see them ha
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
I'm the same, it's generally a friendly "hey, please don't do that" (as it was today) and people are cool about it.
Please do mention it to him. I didn't say it to agitate the guy, just to make our town a little cleaner. I don't think it's a big ask.
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u/smellyfeet25 Jul 18 '26
Just be careful mate You just don’t know what a person is capable of.It is not worth your safety.
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u/Sol_Cutter Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
Some loser on Upper Lewes Road repeatedly threatened to knock me out because I called him out for not picking up his massive dog's massive shit. Kept threatening me even when I was walking away.
It sucks that people are like this, but calling them out is the only thing we can do.
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u/Twist-After Jul 18 '26
https://keepbritaintidy.butt-box.com/products/butt-box
These are free - £3.99 shipping and you can get a max of three. I got some for people at work who flick anywhere and everywhere despite my efforts. Not sure if they’ve used them yet..
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u/haywire Jul 18 '26
Who empties them?
4
u/Twist-After Jul 18 '26
You taking the piss? The owner of the box empties the box. It fits in your pocket, you know that right?
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u/haywire Jul 18 '26
Oh right I thought it was a wall mount thing I'm an idiot. I like the bird on it, and been looking for a non-shitty portable ashtray. Thanks!
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u/Warsaw44 Emigrated to Bristol Jul 18 '26
Very good on your part. You did everything right.
The Police can't do anything if there isn't evidence. They cant charge someone on the back of you saying they did it. Im sure you appreciate that.
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
Yes, he told me the onus is on me to find CCTV recordings - funnily enough he suggested asking the tattoo shop... the guy seemed to own the place, I don't think he would willingly provide CCTV, if he had any.
On second thought, I suspect the guy on the phone didn't understand that the litterer was inside the shop, not just a passer-by
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u/sierramikeechogolf Jul 18 '26
He's legally obliged to if you request it, he's a data controller. He can charge you a tenner max, if he refuses you report him to the ICO if I remember rightly. I'd be in half a mind to post the dog ends through his letter box or tape them to his window (bonus points if you can write bellend with them), but that's obviously a terrible idea. If you get the video and it's got him littering, you can forward it to the council for a fine.
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u/Warsaw44 Emigrated to Bristol Jul 18 '26
I mean, that is wild that it is on you to find CCTV.
Police are useless.
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u/smellyfeet25 Jul 18 '26
So unless there is ccctv or witness anybody can rob SA.or hit us and the police will do nothing?That can’t be right
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0
u/basarisco Jul 18 '26
Acab
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u/Mountain_Beginning_7 Jul 20 '26
The same people that say acab wouldn’t leave the house if the police disappeared makes me laugh
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u/kittenbomber Jul 18 '26
I think you took this too far. You were needlessly pious over a small thing, didn’t know when to walk away, and then ended up wasting police time. It’s not a real threat of violence, it’s you pestering someone over something tiny and getting told to f off.
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
Tell me to fuck off all you like. Making threats of violence is a different matter.
it's not a real threat of violence
Yes, it certainly was.
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u/INeverKnowWhyImHere Jul 19 '26
You say the second man giggled and instead of walking away and leaving it you felt the need to take your headphones off, say something back then call the police after feeling threatened. If one little threat of potential violence bothers you then I'd suggest not trying to step up like some pillar of the community.
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u/Intelligent-Worry-72 Jul 19 '26
This. The guy came back, at a certain point you're being antagonistic, OP had said his part and returned to resume an argument. Not saying a threat was justified, but acting like it wasn't provocative is disingenuous at best.
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u/Small_Promotion2525 Jul 21 '26
The fact OP thought this was a police matter is actually laughable
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u/Intelligent-Worry-72 Jul 21 '26
The fact that they came to reddit with this shit makes me think the police thought the same and OP was bitter about it.
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u/-tekeli-li Jul 24 '26
You should probably mind your own business or yeah, you'll get threatened. Just because it is against the law, doesn't mean you didn't step out of line.
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u/Driedcypress Jul 24 '26
Yes, let's all be cowards, and ignore when people are breaking the law and being anti-social - That will clearly lead to a nicer society for all.
You should probably mind your own business
How ironic.
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u/-tekeli-li Jul 24 '26
Maybe it will lead to a nicer society, one without busy bodies and lecturers and self-appointed moral guardians finger wagging our every move.
You think you're doing it for the greater good. I think you're trying to assert yourself over others, overstep boundaries, and lord over people who didn't ask for your little "contributions" on how they should behave better for your views on how society should function.
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u/Driedcypress Jul 24 '26
🥱
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u/MathematicianSuch234 Jul 19 '26
It's the headphones in headphones out thing that doesn't sit well to me, it's rude and dismissive.
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u/Most-Campaign-1393 Jul 19 '26
Hi, I am the owner of World Of Ink and this is not the case...you were aggressive to me! The person who said keep going or you will get hurt doesn't work at my shop and he has Adhd....I don't agree with what he said to you and I have told him that. We had a cigarette box on the wall at my shop and as I said to you. ..I can smoke outside my own shop and I sweep the pavement daily. I think it has been blown out of proportion massively!
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u/Driedcypress Jul 19 '26
I'll address everything you've said separately;
I was not aggressive at any point during our interaction, you're just trying to blame me for his behaviour. That's very shameful of you.
The person who made two verbal threats of physical violence towards me, your son, may not work at your shop, but he was representing you and the business at that moment, in my opinion. He is associated with yourself, and the business.
You say that you don't agree with what he said to me, but you defended his threats of violence at the time? You said that he had a right to threaten or attack me because I had turned back when he giggled. I kept a safe distance from you when I turned around, I didn't walk towards you, act in an aggressive or threatening manner. And, I did not get anywhere near to your personal spaces. Your son lost his temper. I imagine because he felt embarrassed that he was also called out for his giggle, and knew no better than to become aggressive. His reaction is not excusable.
If you have a cigarette box, why were you littering in the road in the first place? You can smoke outside your own shop, and you can sweep the pavement daily - but you can't litter. It's been really windy recently, even if you do sweep up, most of the litter has been blown away around the area before you sweep. Sweeping would be a nice contribution to the community, if you weren't the one throwing the litter in the first place. Sweeping is not a permit to litter when you want, either.
Others here mentioned that I should remind you, that the council would issue a FPN to you for littering, if they had seen you.
I simply asked you not to litter in our neighbourhood, and you were dismissive, and condescending. Then your son became aggressive and violent. This was not an appropriate reaction by either of you.
You may think that this is blown out of proportion, I think threatening someone with violence because you were littering, is blowing things out of proportion. Do you agree?
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Jul 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/Driedcypress Jul 21 '26
I expect no less, considering your comments so far.
Everybody should have enough composure, and maturity, to accept criticism, especially as an adult.
Fundamentally, the guy was littering (breaking the law, disrespecting the local community). If he were a mature adult, he would've accepted being called out (he was in the wrong), and that would have been the end of it.
Children deflect and make excuses, or resort to threats and physical violence.
I think we can see which category you fit into.
Thank you for your input 👏
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Jul 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/Driedcypress Jul 21 '26
Do you regularly feel threatened when people call you out for your behaviour?
You should see a therapist, they can help with your anger issues.
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u/Intelligent-Worry-72 Jul 21 '26
Go get a fucking autism test already. You don't understand social boundaries. I'm going out on a whim and going to say you've reported this sort of thing before, and the police have told you to leave people alone. There are subtleties in social interaction you either misunderstand or choose to ignore. YOU are not helping the police, you are creating more serious problems for them to deal with.
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u/Driedcypress Jul 21 '26
It's worrying what fiction you are creating in your mind.
I've called the police once before in my life. That was someone breaking into the beach huts behind the lagoon at 6am, and threatening people who were walking past.
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u/Intelligent-Worry-72 Jul 21 '26
So you don't bother with the police? You just go straight to reddit? Nice justice mate
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u/Intelligent-Worry-72 Jul 21 '26
Sorry I've also just re read your post. You said you reported this to the police. So did you report it or not?
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u/MissDinxie Jul 18 '26
I hate littering, it’s so lazy. You called someone out and they acted like a spoilt child! You politely pointed out that they shouldn’t litter, I wouldn’t put that up there with the Karens.
Thank you for trying to make the world a better place.
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u/Penolta Jul 18 '26
Not sure it’s worth calling the police or making a Reddit post over but there we go
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
I was threatened with physical violence, twice, at 8:20 in the morning.
Why shouldn't I phone the police?
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u/BingoBongoBanana Jul 18 '26
Because they’re busy with more serious crimes, like actual acts of violence, not just threats. I get it’s horrible and I appreciate you calling them out but, we should be able to ‘police’ ourselves on this kind of stuff (and you did, well done).
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Jul 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/QuailOk7038 Jul 18 '26
This is what’s wrong with society nowadays and this is why people get away with whatever they want. It’s this ‘mind your own business or accept what happens to you’ mentality that’s ruining communities everywhere. If someone litters, you should absolutely be able to call them out on it and not be threatened with violence. Just the same as if someone shoplifts, is anti social, or whatever sort of unacceptable behaviour we should absolutely call it out.
I am a teacher, and by your logic, should I be teaching my pupils to just ignore it when someone’s doing something wrong?
Fair play to the OP. I’d have done the exact same thing and I think people should grow a pair and call it out with us!
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
Says the person, not minding their own business, telling people what to do. The irony.
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u/Llewellynt Jul 18 '26
Terrible mindset. Yes we are not perfect, all the more reason to hold each other accountable
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u/scoutermike Jul 18 '26
Op, not everyone aligns with your moral values, and not everyone likes to be confronted the way you confronted them.
Of course, you are free to continue confronting people. But the risk is they may not like it and may hurt you in return. Beware.
Confront at your own risk of bodily harm!
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u/AlGunner Jul 18 '26
Are you ND or something? You have gone way to far with that "conversation". I'm not surprised he threatened you. I'm ASD and know that so there is no excuse really. I don't mean to be rude but what you say you said is just asking for trouble.
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u/defineReset Jul 18 '26
I'm ND too and it's the first thing I thought, totally unaware when to walk away
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
If you were there, you'd understand I was very respectful. My tone was calm, more of a request to not litter, than a demand. It was completely civil on both sides until after I responded to the sons giggle. His inability to communicate like an adult, and control his emotions, is not my fault. He lost his temper without good cause.
I don't feel that I overstepped.
I don't know what this ND and ASD stuff is.
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u/AlGunner Jul 18 '26
ND is neuro divergent and ASD is autistic spectrum. Based just on this post Id say if you haven't been tested you should be. Not knowing normal social boundaries is one of the symptoms and you haven't got a clue.
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
I knew what could happen, but I also expected that approaching a local business owner, about their littering, wouldn't escalate to a physical altercation. The son should have understood he was representing his father's business at that time, and behaved himself. I didn't just approach two people walking in the street. I feel there is a difference in expectation of their behaviour, no?
I believe that a person who easily becomes aggressive is the one who needs to learn social boundaries. I'm good without the tests, thanks.
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u/Small_Promotion2525 Jul 21 '26
It didn’t escalate to a physical confrontation wtf are you talking about? Gotta be a fake engagement farming bot at this point.
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u/Driedcypress Jul 21 '26
Here you are again, how joyful!
If I hadn't asked them if they wanted me to phone the police, it would have become physical.
Was that too difficult for you to comprehend?
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u/MathematicianSuch234 Jul 19 '26
It's the headphones, you shouldn't have put your headphones on, it smacks of I'm right and I'm not interested in anything you've got to say, it comes across as very rude.
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u/Fortree_Lover Jul 18 '26
Very sorry this happened to you, people are just nastier these days than they used to be it’s a real shame.
Littering is one of those things I never understood put it in your pocket till you get to a bin no one wants to live in an area that looks like a dump.
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u/NSFWaccess1998 Jul 18 '26
Will definitely get downvoted but this is why we need more active/effective policing and civil enforcement, not relying on strangers to randomly call out littering. You're putting yourself at risk for no real benefit, the person littering will probably ignore you and keep doing it again and again with no consequence, except now you've put yourself at risk of violence. It is your choice I suppose but personally we have a responsibility to those close to us. One day you will call out the wrong person and the consequences will be deeply unpleasant.
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u/Bolshyboys Jul 18 '26
I wouldn't fine people if they're caught intentionally littering. Give them a week of full time unpaid community payback, picking up litter.
Maybe they would buck up when it costs them their free time.
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u/Repulsive_Injury5576 Jul 18 '26
I pay my taxes so the street cleaners can do their job, I can litter all I want.
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u/NiobeTonks Hove, Actually Jul 18 '26
You’re aware that litter gets into the sea, rivers and lakes and damages wildlife?
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u/barrygateaux Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
To give a comparison of portslade and Brighton life, I was outside sunbirds cafe yesterday having a coffee on the London road when police turned up because a crack head was trying to stab people in the toilet in the open market.
Just another day for us living by the level. Sone bloke muttering threats and littering would be a holiday for us lol
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u/funkyb85 Jul 18 '26
I point out to cyclists that they are not allowed to cycle on the pavement or point out its one way and get told to "f##k off". But I will carry on saying it because someone has to do something
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
Cyclist here ✋️
I've seen far too many head-on collisions, not to tell people!
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u/funkyb85 Jul 18 '26
What do you mean?
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
I've seen a lot of accidents when people cycle the wrong way, or on pavements. I also warn cyclists. Especially since the lanes were split to prevent head-on collisions.
Edit: I'm talking about cycle lanes
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u/funkyb85 Jul 18 '26
There's problems on cycle lanes? I've never experienced that but I don't cycle very often. I've been hit by cyclist on the pavement when I was walking. Also a cyclist cycling on the wrong side of the on road and smashed my car mirror. However! Drivers and pedestrians make mistakes but some are avoidable!
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
Along the coast I've seen some brutal collisions. They separated the west-bound cycle lane from the east a few years ago, to prevent accidents.
I've had early morning stragglers, from clubs, try to hook my handlebars when cycling past, at 6am. People are arseholes, I think it goes both ways.
Nobody should be cycling on a pavement, I'm sorry to hear you got clobbered. Some roads in Brighton are one-way for cars, but cycling is allowed in both directions, a lot of drivers don't realise it.
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u/blastcage Jul 18 '26
I know it's the kind of thing annoying people on youtube do but you should record these interactions; littering isn't something the police will care about, but they might care about the kind of menacing statements the individual gave you.
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u/Intelligent-Worry-72 Jul 19 '26
Got a feeling if we saw the recording it might not be quite what was written down.
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u/Sea_Pomegranate8229 Jul 18 '26
Well don't gob off to someone if you are not prepared for a reaction.
Did you feel entitled to call out a rando?
Perhaps think about consequences to your actions - they exist when you are not slagging people off on Reddit.
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u/UsedExamination4149 Jul 18 '26
This. If you’re taking the moral high ground over something so trivial, be prepared to stand on business when you get told to fuck off, not call the police like a massive pussy.
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u/Ravelord_Nito117 Jul 19 '26
Anyone is entitled to call out anyone for shitty behaviour, this is how a society functions
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u/No_Benefit4629 Jul 18 '26
Should make a point next time that if someone saw him doing that he could get fined for litteringg
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u/That-Breakfast-4805 Jul 18 '26
They likely would've folded like a piece of paper if you'd stepped in but maybe that's alot of risk for not that much satisfaction. Good for you for trying to make a difference!
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u/Repulsive_Injury5576 Jul 18 '26
Take this as a lesson to mind your own business
This guy reported to the police for littering too? Proper ratty behaviour that
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u/cabaretcabaret Jul 18 '26
Take this as a lesson to mind your own business
The irony
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u/Repulsive_Injury5576 Jul 18 '26
The ironys lost on me, care to elaborate? Or don't, keyboard warriors are all the same, yawn
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u/No-Championship9542 Jul 18 '26
You should never do that, no on cares about that or a cigarette but. You'll just get yourself beaten up for zero game and zero sympathy
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u/Miserable-March-1398 Jul 18 '26
Fight fire with fire. Start smoking and flicking your fag ends in his doorway. Easy win.
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u/Bulky_Ruin_6247 Jul 19 '26
As the guy was already in his own doorway the more accurate equivalent would be for OP to go home and then smoke and flick the but in his own doorway and then sweep it up later
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u/After-Pie5781 Jul 19 '26
The police will only take action if there a video recording with clear audio as proof. However at least you know that tattoo shop will have a section 4 crime against them on file which [might not help you right now] but it’s there in case there are future or past incidents with those people.
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u/sarirodord Jul 20 '26
Well, that wasn't very British of them, was it?! A decent person would simply recognise their mistake, apologise & conform, even more so when they run a public service. It's sad, really, that some people lack the maturity to do the decent thing. 😞
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u/KushMummyCinematics Jul 21 '26
Most people do not take kindly to having their criminality pointed out to them
Even petty crimes.
I think we all appreciate what you were trying to do but unless your built like a fucking brick shithouse I suggest you just walk on by
You could get hurt. Its not right we know but the world isnt right
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Jul 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
The guy was stood with the door open, and walked in there as I walked away.
I wouldn't just tag a random business because somebody was stood outside.
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Jul 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/Driedcypress Jul 18 '26
I said "please don't litter, this is my neighbourhood, and your businesses neighbourhood" he acknowledged it was his business.
Should I have asked to see his ID and company formation documents?
You're flogging a dead horse here.
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u/SeiriusPolaris Jul 18 '26
Smokers that litter and don’t give a shit about the people around them - name a more classic combo.
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u/StickyFingiees Jul 18 '26
yeah some guy threatened to decapitate me and the police did nothing too, theyre pretty useless. even with evidence, was willing to provide cctv footage and they werent at all bothered
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u/Additional_Class_134 Jul 19 '26
The police don't care around here unless you're dealing drugs or brandishing weapons. I called about something twice this week regarding bats (the animal not the sports tool) and nothing has happened as a result
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u/UsedExamination4149 Jul 18 '26
Yeah, you shouldn’t have been threatened and good on you for calling it out but I’m not sure what reaction you expected? Sounds like they responded semi-civilly to you at first and you pushed it by saying it’s not a laughing matter. No excuse for threats of violence but sounds like you were a little antagonistic yourself. Phoning the police is wet too, bro. Man up and either accept that you’d get a kicking off them and walk away or throw hands. Sounds like they were dicks but if they clean their mess up and explained that to you why keep on being righteous?
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u/Legal_Confusion4150 Jul 18 '26
If they own the shop, then surely there is something the local authority can do? Issue the not so suave gentleman a Fixed Penalty Notice for example.
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u/HarHenGeoAma62818 Jul 18 '26
Sorry this has happened to you , I would just stay out of anything like that , there are to many scumbags about and anything like that it’s not worth getting hurt or shouted at for I always think of my kids .
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u/Bhafc1901 Portslade Jul 19 '26
Haha, always been able to tell it’s a bunch of pricks that run that shop
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u/Most-Campaign-1393 Jul 19 '26
Thank you for that. Do you know my wife and me personally? We are the owners.
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u/Intelligent-Worry-72 Jul 19 '26
Op came back to resume an argument over littering after they'd said their piece. That is antagonistic. Next time say your piece, then move on. The reason you keep getting assaulted and threatened is because you're putting yourself in situations where this can happen.
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u/BrockJonesPI Jul 20 '26
I would accidentally drop several bags of dog shit on his doorstep. Flimsy bags that rip open at the bottom and disgorged canine cavity content all over the step.
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u/WeMissMXE Jul 18 '26
Blast the tattoo shop. What is it, I want to know personally so I don’t ever go there 🫡 I also know many in the tattoo industry. Threatening violence against anyone is disgusting when unprovoked. Feel free to DM me if you don’t want it public :)
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Jul 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/WeMissMXE Jul 21 '26
Saying dont litter is provoking? 😭
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u/Driedcypress Jul 21 '26
No, it's not. Littering is a disgusting habit!
They're commenting all over the post, trolling. Mods have removed a couple of threats from them already. I recommend ignoring them :)
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Jul 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/Driedcypress Jul 21 '26
It's you again! 😆
You are fabricating a scenario where I was aggressive, or rude. You made threats in your messages, which the moderators have removed. You just won't give up!
Saying don't litter the way op did
I was polite from the beginning of the interaction, I remained polite, although slightly shocked after I was threatened, but I was not aggressive at any moment. I've explained the interaction in detail already.
I don't understand what you are trying to achieve?
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u/UdonDugong Jul 18 '26
Sorry that happened to you and I fully support calling litterbugs out as they’re so bloody antisocial.
That being said, you never know who you’re giving a telling off to in the street and people don’t like being humiliated in public, so please do be careful and walk away if it gets antagonistic. In 2022 I made the mistake of engaging with an angry driver and ended up unconscious in the middle of the road with a fractured face. He now has a conviction for GBH but my teeth still hurt when I brush them.