We've all heard how the Olympics have turned London into a police state, with soldiers on the streets, SAM batteries on rooftops and people arrested simply for riding bicycles. But its now taken a turn into the Kafkaesque, with a man arrested for not "visibly enjoying the event":
Mark Worsfold, 54, a former soldier and martial arts instructor, was arrested on 28 July for a breach of the peace shortly before the cyclists arrived in Redhouse Park, Leatherhead, where he had sat down on a wall to watch the race. Officers from Surrey police restrained and handcuffed him and took him to Reigate police station, saying his behaviour had "caused concern".So there you have it. Failure to visibly enjoy the Olympics is a crime. Happiness is mandatory. The Computer would be proud.[...]
Worsfold, whose experience was first reported by Private Eye, claims police questioned him about his demeanour and why he had not been seen to be visibly enjoying the event. Worsfold, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2010, suffers from muscle rigidity that affects his face. He was released after two hours without charge or caution.
"It could have been done better. I was arrested for not smiling. I have Parkinson's," he said
