[Clave]

Yep, you either have a monarchy or you don't.  And although it has not been tested for a long time, the monarch does have to grant permission for the government to be formed, so in theory, she could say 'no' and we would have no parliament....

Of course that won't happen, as it is a matter of routine protocol these days, but back in Cromwell's time it was a different story, and years of bloody civil war resulted in the devolution of power away from the monarch to parliament. [/end boring history lecture]

[01010]

Originally posted by Flipside
I suppose part of the problem is that more and more Police officers are being required to work in anti-terrorism roles, which is pulling them away from things like Murders, Assaults etc.

Those Police that are being pulled off the streets and put on SO19 duty in Heathrow etc are not being replaced.

This leaves imprtant financial and government buildings protected (though obviously not well enough) and leaves the average person in the street to fend for themselves to a greater extent. I have certainly seen a large drop of 'In the street' Police in the London area of late, outside of 'possible targets'.

I guess if the government is going to effectively withdraw everyday Police support from it's citizens, it will have to be prepared for the fact that people will take matters into their own hands. If the law does not support them, why should they support the law?

Hmm, not to sure on this, my local area (twenty miles from Birmingham) was starting to turn into a pretty nasty place (the usual gang ****, stupid kids mostly) and as a result we have, for the first time in my life, been having regular police patrols as well as a local, umm, I should imagine warden would be the right term, that walks the streets just keeping an eye out. I have to admit it's made a huge difference to the atmosphere on my estate and it's nowhere near as bad as it has been in the past.

[Deepblue]

Originally posted by vyper

This kind of shoot on site behaviour is more American/European than traditionally British.

Not true, police officers will only shoot if there is a iminent threat to them or anyone else.

[Deepblue]

One more thing. Its seems kinda funny that no one in Engerland is allowed to own a gun but they have more gun violence then the US? Trap shooting is fun.

[Flipside]

We don't have anywhere near the armed crime problem of the U.S. afaik

[Rictor]

Originally posted by aldo_14
"At this current level of terrorist threat it is unacceptable for our officers to be placed in the difficult and unnecessary position of having to decide in a split second 'protestor or terrorist?'"
"/quote]
Morons.

Hey, why don't we show up at the next anti-war demo with some tanks, cause Lord knows we can't distinguish between terrorist and protesters. That'll show them damn dissenters we don't tolerate their kind around here.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Rictor

Morons.

Hey, why don't we show up at the next anti-war demo with some tanks, cause Lord knows we can't distinguish between terrorist and protesters. That'll show them damn dissenters we don't tolerate their kind around here.

Well, that's taken completely out of context...........

Bloke breaks into palace / house of commons / a.n. other (lets assume he's not wearing a batman costume, albeit this is arguable irrelevant).  Starts running when police officer calls on him to stop.

What do you assume?  Especially if you know there are people who will happily strap a belt of semtex to their chest to kill a few people with themselves?

[Deepblue]

Originally posted by Flipside
We don't have anywhere near the armed crime problem of the U.S. afaik

Not true from what I have heard but ok.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Deepblue


Not true from what I have heard but ok.

Put it this way, a crime where a weapon is used or discharged is a major news story in the UK.   The US has the highest gun crime rate of any developed nation, anyways, unless I'm very much mistaken.

[Tiara]

US major cities (which on their own count as small countries); High crime rates. Higher then almost anywhere in the 'Western' world. (Most larger cities, not all)

The rest of the US (small towns and ****); Low to average as long as it's a little bit populated.

In other words, if you take crime rate per square kilometer, you'll find extremely low crime rates for the US. If you take crime rates per average head, you'll get higher then average crime rates in the US compared to other 1st world countries.

[Rictor]

Originally posted by aldo_14


Well, that's taken completely out of context...........

Bloke breaks into palace / house of commons / a.n. other (lets assume he's not wearing a batman costume, albeit this is arguable irrelevant).  Starts running when police officer calls on him to stop.

What do you assume?  Especially if you know there are people who will happily strap a belt of semtex to their chest to kill a few people with themselves?

yes, but as far as I know, all he did was get up on the ledge and hang the sign. He didn't really do anything all that threatening, other than entering government property or whatever.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Rictor


yes, but as far as I know, all he did was get up on the ledge and hang the sign. He didn't really do anything all that threatening, other than entering government property or whatever.

which is why he wasn't shot

[Ford Prefect]

The gun violence in the United States is through the roof. And as we speak, Congress is on the verge of letting a ban on assault weapons expire.

[Rictor]

I know, great isn't it?
Finally, I'll be able to get myself an assult rifle.