Tottenham Riots

[luvn_it]

I feel really sorry for the police it seems whatever they do they'll get ripped to shreds for it by the media and the public and protests seem to be one of the worst things for that. Either they didn't step in, let bad stuff happen and are completely imcompetent, or they're too heavy-handed and clearly just joined up to shove a nightstick up someone's arse. And turn them into a popsicle

[malving]

What is needed are those police without the badge numbers that were at the 1984 coalfield riot. It would stop rioting very quickly.

[brookejorgensen]

No it wouldn't. It would just give the protesters a legitimate reason to kick off.

[Blazer]

The price of freedom. Britain periodically has riots, it is the sign of health democracy telling it's authority that they are doing something wrong.

The Bear.

[ChloeT]

The police brought a lot of the anti-kettling sentiment on themselves by having been used as political puppets; deliberately detaining peaceful protestors on the anti-cuts marches in order to stop them protesting and prevent them from wanting to protest again in future and, as a result, firing up tempers amongst protestors and creating violent scenes.

This is a different kettle (as it were) of fish. Using it on violent protestors would seem to be a proportionate response but, because they've been used as political agents before, they're now finding themselves in a tricky spot.

This is a real riot, but they're unable to pull out their full arsenal of tactics because of times they used them on peaceful protests. Ironic, but also very unfortunate for everyone.

[bsykes94]

^This.

Times are getting hard, people have less and less money. The credit card rules, there is nothing for the young to do, gangs are the only sense of belonging and I fear there will be further riots.

[JosephW]

I agree with all of that but see very little in the way of a solution. People have an obsession with always looking back and I don't doubt if they'd kettled this lot they would of got a lot of flak. This is one of those situations where being pro-violence makes things far easier

Actually on that note what would the likely response have been if the news today was filled of pictures of the rioters doing the normal looting/burning thing but being met with force by the police? I just can't picture a favourable media and public reaction to the police using force anymore even if its legal.

[strongdude85]

I would buy this were it not for the fact that it is not authority that suffers - it is the everyman.

How is wrecking someones house or shop "sticking it to the man"?

These are selfish little criminal scum - no exceptions and you cannot justify it by alluding to a loose moral stand against authority.

On a related note the shooting that seemed to set the ball rolling was instigated by the deceased - or so it seems. Do those morons seriously advocate colorful language and tickling sticks to deal with a criminal waving a handgun around?

Morons

[fruitinspector007]

You are of course correct, however sticking it to the man is exactly what these morons feel they are doing.

[kkasrt]

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers