Rise in violence towards UK police

[mexico1970]

Our coppers in the most part are brilliant and we're lucky to have them, showing them visible real support would be a start.

 

[Fame Monster]

Kris' contribution is interesting but yeah I go along with this - the minute you put the Police in just cars and vans the link to local populations was over. When housing developments were built the Police lived on them.

My Dad was brought up on Langley - two doors down was "the Police House" where a bobby and his family lived with a younger bobby as a lodger and added on the side was a small office - effectively a community Police station where people could pop in and speak to them - "share intelligence" as its known nowadays. All a bit Heartbeat I know and impossible now - they'd have their tyres slashed and windows put in every night - but taking the Police out of the community did for it.

The force we would need nowadays .....no fucker would pay for it. People cheered from the side lines as govt policy cut 21k officers ( note they don't ever mention how many back office staff have been removed btw? ) saying austerity was needed and we were all in this together but have continually wrung their hands as the operational Policing has been shown to suffer due to those very same cuts.

I don't know if this is true but is there a rule or presumption against a police officer working in the community he lives in? Think I vaguely remember hearing that from a copper.

 

[bluethrunthru]

I don't know if this is true but is there a rule or presumption against a police officer working in the community he lives in? Think I vaguely remember hearing that from a copper.

Up until the 70's I remember Police Houses on council estates. Then the accountants got involved - probably about the time council houses started to be sold off - and they were a resource to be sold off.

As I say just not doable nowadays - the backlash against them would be enormous - plus would a Policeman and his possibly Police officer wife earning up to a combined £100k pa choose to live on an estate built by a housing association these days?

I have certainly met Police Officers who live in the area their force - sorry its a service these days isn't it - covers. Worked with a lad who lived in New Marske who left and joined Cleveland Police Service and there were no issues then.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

We need a sea change in public opinion. Squadies used to have a bad name until Help for Heroes came along. Need a more positive public image. Bit like ‘Thank you for your service’. Mind you, they are not the only ones being given a hard time. All the emergency services are being given the assault treatment.

That is a very good point

 

[bluethrunthru]

This country is now virtually the only one in the world without armed police, and it's far from being violence free. I loved the fact we haven't needed them, but when you see tolerant, liberal countries' police all armed, and have been for decades, never giving them up, it does seem anachronistic these days.

The French Police are armed. Two people got stabbed on the streets in Paris today. Guns are not an answer.

 

[bluethrunthru]

Our coppers in the most part are brilliant and we're lucky to have them, showing them visible real support would be a start.

we should show our love tonight

 

[meltonblue]

Don’t give them ridiculous laws to try and police would be one thing.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

Where do you start with this...

I feel one of the problems (and there are many!) is the militarisation of the old "bobby" on the street. Stab vests, combat trousers and boots, utility belts, tazers, peaked military style hats, all dressed in black, gives them a very sinister look, and disconnects them from ordinary people, and that's without adding a gun. Certain situations will automatically get cranked up just by them showing up. I think it affects them personally as well, I think their own aggression levels are higher, they are pumped, which can infame even more.

The uniform thing reminds me a bit of riding a motorcycle. Ordinary riders wrap themselves in ridiculously expensive carbon fibre and kevlar suits and helmets, which makes a rider think he can't be hurt 'cos of all the protective equipment he's donned. It ends in tears. The clothes don't make the man, or the copper...

Get the Bobby on the street less aggressively dressed, and get more of them, would be a start

Of course it would be better of they didnt need stab vests, so much kit on belts or tazers but sadly the do. They would rather not have it also

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

I don't know if this is true but is there a rule or presumption against a police officer working in the community he lives in? Think I vaguely remember hearing that from a copper.

no

 

[Mike Cledford]

Where do you start with this...

I feel one of the problems (and there are many!) is the militarisation of the old "bobby" on the street. Stab vests, combat trousers and boots, utility belts, tazers, peaked military style hats, all dressed in black, gives them a very sinister look, and disconnects them from ordinary people, and that's without adding a gun. Certain situations will automatically get cranked up just by them showing up. I think it affects them personally as well, I think their own aggression levels are higher, they are pumped, which can infame even more.

The uniform thing reminds me a bit of riding a motorcycle. Ordinary riders wrap themselves in ridiculously expensive carbon fibre and kevlar suits and helmets, which makes a rider think he can't be hurt 'cos of all the protective equipment he's donned. It ends in tears. The clothes don't make the man, or the copper...

Get the Bobby on the street less aggressively dressed, and get more of them, would be a start

The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester did an interview the other day wearing all his ruffy tuffy gear. Must have been expecting a lot of trouble when doing next years budget, needing his baton to get some measures through once he got back to his desk. Wearing a big full dress peaked hat with all the scrambled egg .on looked rather silly as well.