Britain is plagued by unruly youths, and incompetent police forces.
In the UK Daily Telegraph, 16 August 2007, David Green, Director of Civitas, asks "What would a well-run police force do when told about a persistent problem with unruly youths?" (Answer is not drink ban, but good policing)
David Green, quite correctly, suggests regular foot patrols by police officers.
But Britain's useless police forces very rarely patrol the streets. So the unruly youths get away with it most of the time.
UK Home Office figures show that only 9.7% of all 'serious woundings', including stabbings, that are reported to the police result in a conviction. (Crime rate soars as criminals walk free UK News The Observer)
Britain's police seem to be on the side of the criminals. (Police corruption in UK 'at Third World levels')
David Green writes: "In recent years, the police have increasingly arrested and charged victims of crime..."
Green reminds us of the case where the owner of a shop tried to stop three youths from stealing cans of spray paint. One youth kicked the shop owner in the groin, which provoked the shop owner to punch and kick the youth in self-defence. The police charged the shopkeeper with assault.
Green tells us of another shop owner whose shop window was smashed by a youth. The shop owner and his son chased the boy, caught him and flagged down a police car. The shop owner and his son were arrested and charged with kidnap. (Answer is not drink ban, but good policing)
A Telegraph reader comments (Answer is not drink ban, but good policing ) :
"GOING to bed the other night, I noticed people in my shed stealing things. I phoned the police but was told no one was in the area to help. They said they would send someone over as soon as possible. I hung up.
"A minute later, I rang again. 'Hello,' I said, 'I called you a minute ago because there were people in my shed. You don't have to worry now, because I've shot them-'
"Within minutes there were half a dozen police cars in the area plus helicopters and an armed response unit- They caught the burglars red-handed. One of the officers said: 'I thought you said you'd shot them.'
"To which I replied: 'I thought you said there was no one available'"
Another reader comments: "The police are now becoming anti-social in more ways than one. Gone are the days when they were a respected force, making even a hardened criminal hesitate and little Johnny being terrorised with the admonition of being spoken to by the bobby. Everyone has his or her own story of indifference, incompetence, or even bullying about our police force whom it seems only appear in force on Masonic occasions to a wondering public."
Another reader comments: "The media must be used to advocate better behaviour and greater social responsibility. TV programs should portray behaviour as it should be, not as it is. We know propaganda, spin and advertising work to bad effect, for Heaven’s sake, lets use them to good effect. Soaps like East Enders, which are full of snarling, nasty yobs should evolve to portray people as kind, gentle, polite and well behaved."
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