Tottenham riots: police let gangs run riot and loot

[superfrank]

Where the hell is the fire brigade?!

Probably still asleep or collecting for charity outside the station chatting birds up!

[lilgreenback]

They possible won't risk them going into areas where they can be ambushed, the Fire Service and Ambulance crews suffer this quite regularly.

The rioting is so fluid as those involved can communicate and organise effectively drawing Police units more thinly.

[freddy]

Yep the arsehole's would prob throw bricks at them too

[superfrank]

They possible won't risk them going into areas where they can be ambushed, the Fire Service and Ambulance crews suffer this quite regularly.

The rioting is so fluid as those involved can communicate and organise effectively drawing Police units more thinly.

But that's their job - you can't just let things happen because of health and safety fears at times like this.

Give them some tazers or rubber bullets or something.

[andyfuller]

I don't think you would go to work if you were running a gauntlet of bricks etc.

I know I wouldn't for £25,000!

[Iron]

I'm sure our special forces wouldn't mind taking on the rioters.

I imagine there are a few lads in Hereford who are probably waiting and hoping for a phone call from Downing St...

Jeff

I don't think you would go to work if you were running a gauntlet of bricks etc.

I know I wouldn't for £25,000!

[Iron]

Guys, I respectfully suggest you be careful what you write. I know you were joking, but can you be sure that whoever picks up your message outside of this forum will realise that?

Jeff

[andyfuller]

Well said woman (Has some bad language incase you have kids in the room):

Truly extraordinary speech by fearless West Indian woman in face of #Hackney rioters:

http://www.twitvid.com/4JTZH

[Dabbla]

Theres a fire the next road down.Not sure if its related but,its a bit close for comfort.

[Iron]

Andrew Neil has tweeeted:

'BBC reports Debenham's in Clapham looted for almost two hours before police acted. Now on massive fire'.

What is the point of having a police force if they aren't going to intervene when crimes are being committed?!?

If the police are too worried about health and safety to enter a building that's being ransacked, then they should hand over to the army. I'm sure the SAS aren't afraid of having a brick lobbed at them!

Jeff

[andyfuller]

Andrew Neil has tweeeted:

'BBC reports Debenham's in Clapham looted for almost two hours before police acted. Now on massive fire'.

What is the point of having a police force if they aren't going to intervene when crimes are being committed?!?

If the police are too worried about health and safety to enter a building that's being ransacked, then they should hand over to the army. I'm sure the SAS aren't afraid of having a brick lobbed at them!

Jeff

Can you imagine what the impact would be around the world of images of the Army on the streets of London....can't see it happening.

I don't think it is to do with H&S as such but rather not sending officers into a situation where their life could be at risk.

Sending in a handful of officers won't make any difference and could lead them to having the life beaten out of them - hence they go in in numbers, getting said numbers to the right place isn't easy when it is a constantly moving battle ground.

As for the SAS being brought in

Government needs to give more powers to the Police but can't see that happening quickly as using tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannon etc all require training to be used properly or before you know it they could be turned on the police. Also add in an escalation of tactics being used and you up the tactics used by the nutters = guns.

[Iron]

Andy -

Images of the army restoring order to the streets of London vs images of London burning for another few days - I know which I'd go for...

As for the SAS - You laugh, but why? They did a pretty good job at the Iranian Embassy. OK, they apparently shot dead some terrorists who were trying to surrender, but was that a bad thing? It sent out a message to other would be hostage takers...

Re: Water cannon requiring training - So do you think it's a bit more scientific than spraying your plants with water? I think it's just a case of giving people a warning, and then pointing the nozzle at them and turning on the tap if they don't b****r off! It sounds like quite good fun, actually!

As regards escalation of tactics, if the nutters were going to use guns, we'd have seen it already. And if they do, then a few of them would get killed (which would be no great loss to society) and the others would desist...

Jeff

[andyfuller]

Unconfirmed reports of trouble breaking out in Liverpool. Footage on Sky but unconfirmed as yet.

Manchester Police have down played issues there.

Going Country wide?

Nuts!

[Iron]

This is why we need to clamp down hard on these bastards!

In the absense of an effective police force, you have anarchy...

I hope the judges really make an example of anyone who's convicted! It's a shame corporal punishment isn't permitted...

Jeff

Going Country wide?

Nuts!

[andyfuller]

Images of the army restoring order to the streets of London vs images of London burning for another few days - I know which I'd go for...

Fair comment. I bet they are considering it or will be at the COBRA meeting. Problem is the Army aren't trained for this sort of thing. They aren't going to start firing their SA 80's anytime soon that is for sure.

As for the SAS - You laugh, but why? They did a pretty good job at the Iranian Embassy. OK, they apparently shot dead some terrorists who were trying to surrender, but was that a bad thing? It sent out a message to other would be hostage takers...

There is quite a difference between the two situations and I think the SAS have bigger fish to fry than some low life criminals.

Re: Water cannon requiring training - So do you think it's a bit more scientific than spraying your plants with water? I think it's just a case of giving people a warning, and then pointing the nozzle at them and turning on the tap if they don't b****r off! It sounds like quite good fun, actually!

I would be up for giving it a bash but I am sure as with most things, to be used effectively you need to know what you are doing. Also water cannon isn't much use for small groups who just disappear the moment the police come and re appear somewhere else. I can just see the lorries nipping around with a taxi driver in the passenger seat for his mental A-Z

As regards escalation of tactics, if the nutters were going to use guns, we'd have seen it already. And if they do, then a few of them would get killed (which would be no great loss to society) and the others would desist...

They maybe stupid but they aren't that stupid to start shooting the police as they know that the game changes then. Yes a few of them would be killed no doubt but also quite a few good honest hard working families would be left without their mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters.[/quote]