For the third consecutive night terror reigned on the streets of London with criminals smashing, burning or stealing anything in their way.
Shops were looted, cars and homes burnt, years of priceless family history and hard work erased at the hands of arsonist scum. They indiscriminately targeted and wrecked property with such speed and ferocity that outnumbered police stood powerless to act. Like opportunist vermin they grazed the streets looking for easy pickings simply because they could.
I worry that the law abiding majority will see these images of carnage on their TV screens, the police stood impotently agog, and decide to take the law into their own hands. Vigilantism, though I'd completely understand their sentiment, could lead to an even greater escalation of violence as criminal retaliation came to the fore.
Prime Minster David Cameron is chairing a meeting of COBRA this morning. He will be advised by some of the sharpest minds in the business, yet they will be dipping their toes tentatively into unchartered waters. Never before has spontaneous violence on such a massive scale, orchestrated by mobile media, swept the streets of our cities.
There's no doubt that the Government has to take tough and decisive action, but they will want to avoid upping the ante by flooding the streets with riot shields and armoured vehicles.
If I was the PM this is what I would be doing immediately:
1. Recall Parliament: We might need to make rapid new legislation to deal with the unfolding situation. All MPs are to be back in Westminster within 24 hours.
2. Call curfew: Anyone on the streets of London without reasonable cause (e.g. medical emergency or legitimate employment) after 9 pm faces arrest and prosecution.
3. Authorise greater force: The police would be authorised to proactively target and disable (literally if necessary) those clearly identified as criminal aggressors. The public would completely understand and accept if petrol bomb and stone hurling yobs were bundled from the streets. Justice must be seen to be done. The images of unchallenged violence and looting is as damaging as the actions themselves.
4. Advise the judiciary: The courts are to deal with cases swiftly. Those found guilty of mindless criminality are to face the full force of the law with ruthless deterrent sentences. So what if the prisons are full? Imprison them in overcrowded squaller.
Good luck, health and happy hunting to the police.
Shops were looted, cars and homes burnt, years of priceless family history and hard work erased at the hands of arsonist scum. They indiscriminately targeted and wrecked property with such speed and ferocity that outnumbered police stood powerless to act. Like opportunist vermin they grazed the streets looking for easy pickings simply because they could.
I worry that the law abiding majority will see these images of carnage on their TV screens, the police stood impotently agog, and decide to take the law into their own hands. Vigilantism, though I'd completely understand their sentiment, could lead to an even greater escalation of violence as criminal retaliation came to the fore.
Prime Minster David Cameron is chairing a meeting of COBRA this morning. He will be advised by some of the sharpest minds in the business, yet they will be dipping their toes tentatively into unchartered waters. Never before has spontaneous violence on such a massive scale, orchestrated by mobile media, swept the streets of our cities.
There's no doubt that the Government has to take tough and decisive action, but they will want to avoid upping the ante by flooding the streets with riot shields and armoured vehicles.
If I was the PM this is what I would be doing immediately:
1. Recall Parliament: We might need to make rapid new legislation to deal with the unfolding situation. All MPs are to be back in Westminster within 24 hours.
2. Call curfew: Anyone on the streets of London without reasonable cause (e.g. medical emergency or legitimate employment) after 9 pm faces arrest and prosecution.
3. Authorise greater force: The police would be authorised to proactively target and disable (literally if necessary) those clearly identified as criminal aggressors. The public would completely understand and accept if petrol bomb and stone hurling yobs were bundled from the streets. Justice must be seen to be done. The images of unchallenged violence and looting is as damaging as the actions themselves.
4. Advise the judiciary: The courts are to deal with cases swiftly. Those found guilty of mindless criminality are to face the full force of the law with ruthless deterrent sentences. So what if the prisons are full? Imprison them in overcrowded squaller.
Good luck, health and happy hunting to the police.
0 comments:
Post a Comment