It really is wild for me to think that I'd be at risk from the police like this, in any of the UK - but then again I'm a dull white guy.

I don't think the police have powers here to shake down anyone in this way (imprison maybe, but not shakedown like this).

Land of the free?

Let’s wait and see eh ? I don’t rule out anything in this country right now in the foreseeable future..