The Current Situation

There has been much analysis recently over the riots, the causes and the solutions, which will and should carry on long after this is over.  This would be best done however with a clear head when it is finished.  Looking directly at the current situation, I would like to very briefly make three points.

Firstly, David Cameron’s speech today was what we had all been waiting to hear. He finally got a grip, and shook off the watery talk which got us in this mess in the first place.  Of course we need to look at why this happened, but while people live in fear and businesses are being destroyed, our priority is to restore order before anything else.

Secondly, Looking directly at the current situation, there is another particular issue that appears to be rising.  Whilst I admire the ‘vigilantes’ or whatever they would like to call themselves, as I believe it shows the community coming together, it does also concern me for a number of reasons.  Firstly, that people feel it has come to this. Secondly, with emotions running high they may not show the restraint professional law enforcement does.  And thirdly, and most worryingly, is the escalation this can lead to, depending on how they perceive they are being treated by the Police.  These people need to understand that the Police are in a difficult situation and bringing more people onto the street can lead to confusion.  They have to understand the Police need to be over cautious, and that this does not mean an ‘attack’ on them; it is after all for their own good.  At the same time the Police need to make sure they maintain a firm but good understanding relationship with these people, and that by working with these people this hideous chapter can be brought to an end.

Thirdly, I hope it does not get to the stage of having to use water cannon, rubber bullets, tear gas etc, but if it does then we should support its use.  A clear message has to be sent out, that if you decide to go out terrorising towns, looting, vandalising, attacking Police, and you get hurt in the process then that is entirely your own fault.  Quite simply, if you don’t want to get hurt then don’t go out rioting, you cannot complain about Police heavy handedness when you act like feral thugs.

The Idiotic Irony of These Riots

For three nights now London has experienced some of the worst rioting and looting it has seen for decades.  Homes, lives, businesses and more have been devastated by a brainless, stupid, thugs… and that’s a kind description.

Some say it is because of the Police shooting of Mark Duggan.  Which we all know it a pathetic justification for such needless violence.  Being concerned against the death of a 29 year old man, and purposely going out to steal a TV and clothes from JD Sports does not make sense.  But then again, these people don’t share a braincell between them.

The most ironic justification is the economic situation.  Most of these lowlifes are on benefits, which due to the burdening economic situation is being reformed and for good reason.  Rioting, looting, vandalism, all costs money, which will only make the situation worse for them and put more strain on their already generous benefits.

The other ironic justification is that some claim it is because the Police do not understand them and doesn’t work with them.  But how can the Police work with people that burn down shops and trash high streets?  If this is how they act, these people are not mature enough, not civilised enough for the Police to build a relationship with.  If they continue to act like this then they have absolutely no basis on which to complain how the Police treat them.  The Police are protecting London, its people, its property and themselves against these scum who have no support.

I’ve not heard one person from these riots explain why they are doing it.  The reason is… because they can’t!