Pickman's model
Starry Wisdom
i'm aware of several officers using s241 of the trade union and labour relations act 1992 to prevent people observing their actions on demonstrations.As for individual officers deliberately trying to extend what the law covers ... I think you grossly overestimate the situation - I hardly ever encountered any officer who did that in twenty odd years.
http://www.freebeagles.org/articles/Legal_Booklet_4/lb4-20.html