Coronavirus - A pale horse,4 men and ....beer

[sniffer66]

Call me dumb but wouldn't it have been simpler to arrest them at the time of the offence ? Or do we not do that now ?

They don't do that anymore because the 'mob' rules. The current thinking is that to arrest them at the scene will incite more thuggery and is to be avoided.

So, the police just give out the message that the mob can do wtf they like and you'll only be arrested if they can find you afterwards ?

And the deterrent in that would be ??

[firlandsfarm]

So, the police just give out the message that the mob can do wtf they like and you'll only be arrested if they can find you afterwards ?

And the deterrent in that would be ??

There is no deterrent except if you are unlucky enough to get a hand on your shoulder later if identified and traced (and knowing that, they mostly wear face coverings). To me the wearing of a face mask at a gathering is clear evidence of intent to break the law … a defence of "I didn't want to get my face sunburnt" wouldn't work with me in the jury!

I expect the police would have a line drawn somewhere possibly where the immediate crimes are worse than the escalation caused by their intervention. This is not gospel sniffer, it's just my take on snippets picked up in news reports and police interviews. I may be completely wrong but it does fit the evidence. I think it's totally unacceptable.

[Derek27]

Did the police have the manpower to stop them? Off memory, I don't remember seeing many police around when the statue was pulled down.

[firlandsfarm]

You are probably right Derek but that in itself is a poor show. The police know where these demonstrations are being held and should call up support from other areas/forces. I bet if it was to be a right wing demonstration they would be there in force!

[Archery1969]

You are probably right Derek but that in itself is a poor show. The police know where these demonstrations are being held and should call up support from other areas/forces. I bet if it was to be a right wing demonstration they would be there in force!

We have around 82,000 soldiers minus 30% currently on active deployment available to help out. Obviously not carrying an SA80 or bayonet.

[spreadbetting]

Maybe we should ask Betfair to put up a market for the next statue to topple

[Derek27]

You are probably right Derek but that in itself is a poor show. The police know where these demonstrations are being held and should call up support from other areas/forces. I bet if it was to be a right wing demonstration they would be there in force!

We have around 82,000 soldiers minus 30% currently on active deployment available to help out. Obviously not carrying an SA80 or bayonet.

Leave out the SA80s but the bayonets could be used effectively.

[Archery1969]

You are probably right Derek but that in itself is a poor show. The police know where these demonstrations are being held and should call up support from other areas/forces. I bet if it was to be a right wing demonstration they would be there in force!

We have around 82,000 soldiers minus 30% currently on active deployment available to help out. Obviously not carrying an SA80 or bayonet.

Leave out the SA80s but the bayonets could be used effectively.

No need for state violence Derek.

[firlandsfarm]

We have around 82,000 soldiers minus 30% currently on active deployment available to help out. Obviously not carrying an SA80 or bayonet.

I agree Archery but the sensationalist media would have a field day with "Army on the streets of Britain"!

[firlandsfarm]

Maybe we should ask Betfair to put up a market for the next statue to topple

I would lay Nelson!