I'm with you all the way comrade.




All the way to the nearest airport.

Well, there you go, then!!!!!!!!

But of course, unlike Spain, they aren't all tooled up, and given the low life that are around today, I'd say a stab vest was hardly over the top. Fast cars? Whilst the drug runners are charging around in all the latest, fastest cars, what would you suggest, Ford Fiesta's? As a law abiding citizen, I can't say I've ever felt intimidated, no reason at all why I should be. We live in very violent times, the criminals aren't afraid to go around all tooled up, the days of Dixon of Dock Green type policing are long gone. Evenin' all!

Good response

Just thought I'd mention that cricketman approves of violence - just not on the part of the police it seems.

In extreme situations yes of course I approve of violence.

As would most people

I'd rather that all peaceful resolutions be explored first

well as most police and militarywill tell you most stab vests arent much more than a panacea, they don't stop a lot and it is much better to ensure that no one gets close to you

CM I would agree with your sentiment, but that is why the agitators get involved to prevent happening unfortunately.

That's true to some extent but they can prevent an attack being fatal. The authorities issue them also to show a duty of care and negate claims for injury. i.e. if you are stabbed and not wearing one any claim for injury will be reduced accordingly as they provided equipment that you chose not to wear. Modern world I'm afraid.

Policing by consent should mean the consent of the majority of the population, not an individual. Obviously, someone being arrested and detained is likely to argue that they have not given their consent.


Totally agree and nor would I.


If I were doing something illegal and fully expecting the police to arrive all tooled up and prepared to give me a good beating or a blast with a taser then don't expect me to come quietly. Violence breeds violence. I don't believe that knives and guns are any easier to get hold of these days than back in the days of Dixon of Dock Green. The Daily Mail will have you believe that you'll find a gun inside any school desk. It's bollocks but helps sell newspapers. I don't know anyone who has a gun, nor do I know of anyone that knows anyone with a gun.


Maybe if these young cops looked a little less like robocop, a little less invincible, a little more vulnerable (human?) perhaps they might get a little earned respect?


I would argue that in this case it was more the influence of certain politicians on the judges.


Kettling is a fairly recent tactic that has been found to be effective (for now). However, it imprisions innocent, peaceful protestors (no doubt contravenes some clause in the Human Righs act), and is also a very effective way of turning even more people against the police. Them and us. And when these innocent protestors then have to submit their mobile phones for examination and data extraction it leaves you wondering whether the police are scared that someone may have captured an image that could incriminate one of their own.


Completely agree.

not sure they really existed, especially as Dixon was killed in the original film but resurrected for the TV Series to make the police look good.

But when police were promised protection after 2 police officers were killed in Bradford in 2005, we have to ask the question as to why a further 2 were killed in Mottram, Manchester ?
That the scrotes are now running around with machine pistols and hand grenades (where the hell did they come from) it is quite obvious they have no respect for themselves, the police or the general public.

but if the PPE provided isnt "fit for purpose" then the claim for injury will not be negated as the duty of care hasnt been met.

Well I've known a few, but to the best of my knowledge none of them gets out of their heads on illegal chemicals.

The safety of the majority is stronger than the safety of the individual


Which planet have you been living on ?
Lets say you know me, by default through BE, then I personally know half a dozen people, some in the UK, some in Spain, who have guns. One in the UK has a verbal licence to keep the rabbits down on a piece of land and regularly has meat for supper.
As "Dixon" is 1950's it should be remembered that many men brought pistols back from the war. There were not the inspections or checks we have today.
If there are not the weapons about to justify todays attitudes by the police then why is it that weapons are continuously appearing in even the smallest of robberies to "frighten".
The kneejerk reaction following Dunblane in 1996 only managed to get legalised guns off the streets, to the detriment of many. This was actually 9 years after Hungerford (1987) when it was already apparent that some of those with access to guns were not of fit mind.
Knife amnesties have come and gone to no avail. A year long amnesty in Suffolk realised over 6,000 handed in.
Knives are carried by school children as protection against bullying, but it is the ones who don't carry who end up dead, because others use them as a coersion device.

Ever thought that they are actually nervous, frightened they may be attacked by weapons, that something might happen and they will make the wrong move. ??
Although not the same as walking the streets of Kandahar the feelings are the same. It is only as they get older and more experienced they start to relax slightly

Farmers have always had shotguns. As you say, veterans brought guns back from the war. Rifle and gun clubs have always had guns. If you are that way inclined and know the right sort of people then you have always been able to get hold of a gun. But that doesn't mean that they are any more prevelent nowadays than fifty years ago. How many police actually ever fire their guns? Honestly, what use are they other than as a fashion accessory or a recruitment tool? How many police have actually been saved from serious injury purely because they were armed? I don't have the numbers but I bet it isn't many.


This is surely a symptom of current trends. They are told that the streets are dangerous. They are told that they must wear their armour before they go out. It's a dangerous world out there and you're placing your life on the line. Tell anyone that often enough and they're bound to get scared. And as someone else pointed out, you better wear all that gear or the insurance won't pay out.
Sure there are no-go areas. They exist in any big town and city. Always have. But a busy city centre high street on a Saturday afternoon? Is a great big two-handed rifle really necessary?