BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'

Subject: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 08:15 AM

I can't believe London's Mayor Boris Johnston's statement to "Walk on by" if you see a crime. We have 120,000 police officers in the UK and millions of people. If we depend on the police to deal with the thugs we should just give up now. The government add more and more human rights to assist the criminals and give less protection to the law abiding.

I am not saying we should endanger our own lives, but we should not stand by and allow this element of society to take control. Political correctness has gone mad in this country. A 12 year old has just been charged today with the murder of a 71 year lady and two members of her family are in a critical condition thanks to him. Yes yes I know there are decent youths in the country, but there are a lot that aren't. A lot of little bastards need to be locked up for a very long time.

Mr Johnson said peole should move away when they spot trouble and not get involved. Mr Johnson's warning comes in contrast to his call last year to people to "take a risk" and tackle trouble-making thugs, saying the chances of being stabbed in retaliation for challenging a yob were ``microscopic''.

So far this year 17 youngsters have died in violent clashes in London alone, exactly the same number as this time last year. New figures showed the number of school children treated for stab wounds has doubled in the last five years.

The Hospital Episodes Statistics show admissions for under-16s have risen by 88 per cent, from 95 in 2003 to 179 last year.Adult admissions for stab wounds increased from 3,745 to 4,786.

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 08:59 AM

Last year there was some credibility in having a go, as the number of knife incidents was considerably lower.

This year, however, it seems that there has been a sudden, marked escalation in violent responses to any kind of challenge, particularly in London.

Given that the more feral denizens of our Capital are using knives or guns as a first, rather than a last, resort, Boris's comments seem to be eminently sensible.

I am not trained, as a police officer is, in the art of restraining violent criminals, so how would getting myself killed help either the police, or the victim of crime?

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 09:01 AM

Another thought! If I step back, I will have the chance to do something MUCH more useful.

Call the Police.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 09:28 AM

Who may arrive next year

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 10:04 AM

Clearly you haven't called the police too often Don.

If we all adopt that attitude we would be murdered in our beds. I am not talking soley about knife crime Don. Crime in general is on the rise and these young hoodlums know the police response in the UK isn't measured in hours, days yes.

I had reason to call them some time back about vandalism. They arrived late that night when I was in bed, around 7 hours after I made the call. I also got a lecture about my attitude towards those that kicked a traffic island sign to pieces in broad daylight. I was told if those responsible were apprehended they could face a fine or community service.

Reading the court cases in our local newspaper, that amounts to a canoeing trip in the Lake district to help them change their attitude and £2.00 a month repayment plan for the fine as they are under privileged.

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: GUEST,Van
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 11:50 AM

Political correctness has only gone mad in the view of a handful of fools who read the Red Tops. Most people have a mobile and can call the police. Do that - it's not your job to play the vigilante. I was advised on how to deal with a knife attacker many years ago by my father who was a policeman. I believe that the most important part of that advice was to run like hell. The rest of it concerned how to do the biz and recognise when you were in trouble.

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: Lox
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 12:05 PM

I think calling the police is the right thing to do.

I also think exercising caution is the right thing to do and not getting involved.

Remaining discreet and watching allows you to offer essential testimony that could convict someone.

I have witnessed violence and pretended to ignore it, but then concealed myself in a shop doorway and called police and kept an eye on things, as a result of which the criminal went to jail.

The police need a case.

For that they need evidence.

An impartial eyewitness is a great source of evidence.

A dead vigilante is a bad witness ... and a lost family member ...

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 12:13 PM

I think the old 'joke' is becoming truer by the day.

Bloke phones the police to say yobs are vandalising his car and he is told that no-one can be spared. He waits five minutes and rings back telling them that yobs are vandalising his car and he is about to shoot them with a rifle. 2 minutes later an armed response team, three police cars, two vans and a heleicopter turn up.

"You told us you had a rifle!" they say eventualy.

"You told me no-one could be spared" he replies.

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: PoppaGator
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 12:38 PM

This isn't about Dionne Warwick?

Subject: RE: BS: Boris Johnston 'Walk on by'
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 12:42 PM

It can be difficult for witnesses which puts some people off.

Also, if I was being attacked I would hope that someone would help me.