Quote: KLRiley @ August 9 2011, 1:05 PM BST
Wembley's free now.
Quote: DaButt @ August 9 2011, 1:04 PM BST
We would have had military troops on the streets by the 3rd day at the latest. Tear gas and rubber bullets would have been deployed early and the homes/business would have been guarded by their shotgun-wielding owners.
Yeah. Our police being there and doing nothing feels worse than them not being there at all. Being there and looking on simply looks like they're condoning it. I think the police will have to kick arse tonight. Just looking at the news, they're saying plastic bullets will be used (though I know you guys wouldn't muck about with the plastic variety!). In general, if the law can't/won't protect us here, I don't see how they can morally prevent us from doing our best to defend ourselves. As I said earlier, I'm very emabarassed by my country right now.
Quote: AJGO @ August 9 2011, 1:16 PM BST
Difficult to predict, if they take those arrested away from the scene then the police numbers for deterring and arresting others are down. As well as the fact that there are so many muggings, knifings, beatings, going on that also need police attendance.
If vehicles and buildings are being burnt then that limits the routes that police can take offenders from, and prevents them from attending scenes and moving around wherever the trouble goes.
I know they're putting out as many extra officers as they can tonight, but it's not a huge amount considering there needs to be more police than rioters for anything to be effective in this situation, and if trouble's occurring in every borough at once that just isn't going to happen
They've just evacuated Hackney town hall as they expect it to kick off again later and want everyone out. Permanent helicopter presence this way
I think the law will have to (quite literally) crack some skulls tonight. The pictures of those hooded cowards taunting them then running away turns my stomach. Let's see how brave they are after seeing some claret flowing (sorry, I seem to be turning into Jack Regan!)
All the best, mate.