The British public's response to the riots.

[ComprehensiveGoo]

It's disgusting how people think they can just do this. The Prime Minister has recently stated that rubber bullets and water cannons will be available to the police. But this shocking series of events has also emphasised the spirit of the true English citizen, that spirit being the community spirit. Where an almost resistance like movement has come together to combat the aftermath and support the police. This article and video explains it all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14475741

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZF0Y9gdxRg&feature=related

So what's your opinion on the communities response to the recent wave of riots? It just goes to show that even when there are people out there doing all of this wrong there are even more out there trying to do right.

 

[Stilkon]

Water cannons? Those are an actual weapon?

Unfortunately, I see this as a bunch of paranoia after a tragic event. Equipping the police with guns seems like a rash decision, even if they are only rubber bullets. Plus the resources to train all these officers would cost quite a bit, don't you think?

 

[ComprehensiveGoo]

Water cannons are indeed a "weapon" used in Europe. As for the guns there already are armed response teams, they just wouldn't use them for a riot. So I'm guessing if they do bring them in tonight (provided the riots are still going on, we've had 4 nights worth so far..) they'll use the guys (and gals) who've been trained in using a weapon already. Just arm them differently. This thread isn't so much about the armed response as it is the unification of the public against the violence.

 

[Outlaw Torn]

Water cannons? Those are an actual weapon?

Unfortunately, I see this as a bunch of paranoia after a tragic event. Equipping the police with guns seems like a rash decision, even if they are only rubber bullets. Plus the resources to train all these officers would cost quite a bit, don't you think?

They've been used in riots for years, have you never seen them? Usually they are put on trucks and are more like the fire trucks they use at airports.

I know someone who has had the riots raging outside her front door, luckily they didn't do anything to her house but everything seems directed at the police (and looting shops). Generally she is just pissed off at the people doing it since it's gotten to the point where any sense of purpose (if there even was one to begin with) has gone out the window and now people are just doing it because they can.

I think a 'resistance' movement against rioters might just start some kind of mini civil war on the streets, there are always people who step over the various lines and it doesn't sound unreasonable that the two sides might clash at some point.

 

[Rawne1980]

Yeah, thats a great idea.

It's not bad enough that riots are breaking out in other cities now, lets have more people start more groups to go against them.

Nothing bad could possibly happen.

Lets see, a group of rioters come across a group of people wanting them to stop. We know talking won't work so whats going to happen next?

Yep, you guessed it ..... BIGGER BLOODY FIGHTS.

If these folks rioting don't give a toss about the police what the hell do a group of civi's think they are going to do?

 

[ComprehensiveGoo]

I can't see any kind of civil war realistically happen tbh. Unless the rioters come out and openly attack those sweeping up. But they have used social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to discredit popular pages such as "Supporting the Met Police against the London rioters" (the rioters that is).

 

[eggy32]

It's disgusting and stupid. It started because a gang member was shot and other members attacked the police, then a bunch of other dicks joined in. Then everyone else somehow saw this as an excuse to start stealing thigns and putting things on fire.

I really cannot see the logic in burning down your own city because a criminal was shot.

 

[Jaack11]

Water cannons? Those are an actual weapon?

Unfortunately, I see this as a bunch of paranoia after a tragic event. Equipping the police with guns seems like a rash decision, even if they are only rubber bullets. Plus the resources to train all these officers would cost quite a bit, don't you think?

It's not rash at all. It's the only way to get to the rioters since they have no sense of laws, right and wrongs whatsoever. Also these riots have nothing to do with the guy who was shot dead by police, it's a load of scummy chavs taking advantage of a peaceful protest and using it as an excuse to trash, loot and set fire to stuff. IMO they shouldn't even be alive.

 

[ComprehensiveGoo]

They aren't physically fighting the the rioters. It's the way the hate for rioters has brought the community together to help each other out is what the article AND video are referring too.

 

[ComprehensiveGoo]

Water cannons? Those are an actual weapon?

Unfortunately, I see this as a bunch of paranoia after a tragic event. Equipping the police with guns seems like a rash decision, even if they are only rubber bullets. Plus the resources to train all these officers would cost quite a bit, don't you think?

It's not rash at all. It's the only way to get to the rioters since they have no sense of laws, right and wrongs whatsoever. Also these riots have nothing to do with the guy who was shot dead by police, it's a load of scummy chavs taking advantage of a peaceful protest and using it as an excuse to trash, loot and set fire to stuff. IMO they shouldn't even be alive.

They are essentially oxygen thieves.

 

[Rawne1980]

It's disgusting and stupid. It started because a gang member was shot and other members attacked the police, then a bunch of other dicks joined in. Then everyone else somehow saw this as an excuse to start stealing thigns and putting things on fire.

I really cannot see the logic in burning down your own city because a criminal was shot.

The country has been going to the dogs for years.

Now the tories are in power and doing the best they can to screw everyone over (apart from those with money) and people are pissed.

The shooting was just an excuse, something was going to kick off sooner or later.

A lot of people have a lot of pent up anger, quite a few of us saw something like this coming a mile away ... although to be fair I did say it was going to start in Manchester so I was wrong about the city.

 

[Kaisar]

This is why British police are not allowed guns.

 

[ComprehensiveGoo]

It's disgusting and stupid. It started because a gang member was shot and other members attacked the police, then a bunch of other dicks joined in. Then everyone else somehow saw this as an excuse to start stealing thigns and putting things on fire.

I really cannot see the logic in burning down your own city because a criminal was shot.

The country has been going to the dogs for years.

Now the tories are in power and doing the best they can to screw everyone over (apart from those with money) and people are pissed.

The shooting was just an excuse, something was going to kick off sooner or later.

A lot of people have a lot of pent up anger, quite a few of us saw something like this coming a mile away ... although to be fair I did say it was going to start in Manchester so I was wrong about the city.

I see where you're coming and I would agree but surely that would make it a protest as sorts? If so then when, over the past 5 days, have they put forward demands or petitions? And how does stealing a tv relate to any of the countries problems?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14458424

It really doesn't sound like they know why they're rioting.. Or they at least had to think long and hard about an excuse and even then it wasn't a very good one.

 

[Woodsey]

Water cannons? Those are an actual weapon?

Unfortunately, I see this as a bunch of paranoia after a tragic event. Equipping the police with guns seems like a rash decision, even if they are only rubber bullets. Plus the resources to train all these officers would cost quite a bit, don't you think?

This is getting misinterpreted a fair bit I think. The PM has said plastic bullets and water cannons are available, its up to the police chiefs if they're used or not, and as of the moment they don't plan to use them.

This is why British police are not allowed guns.

The guy was shot because he was waving a gun around in the first place.

 

[Lord Penney]

Today, sir, I have regained faith. This is in no small part to you ComprehensiveGoo (wow, that just took out all of the drama in my words ) for reminding me of the British spirit. My top lip has never been so stiff and upper.
Thank you.

Now, commence Operation: Cup of Tea

 

[ComprehensiveGoo]

Today, sir, I have regained faith. This is in no small part to you ComprehensiveGoo (wow, that just took out all of the drama in my words ) for reminding me of the British spirit. My top lip has never been so stiff and upper.
Thank you.

Now, commence Operation: Cup of Tea

Haha. Now hold your broom stick high and drink tea!

 

[Scarim Coral]

Am I missing something? It just a group of civilian who want to help out with the riot aftermath by cleaning up those idiots messes.
I mean yes I can easily see this being lead to a huge brawl of the two sides but I honestly genuine believe the civilian want the riot to stop since I pretty sure that what most of us Brits want right now?

 

[ComprehensiveGoo]

I can't see a brawl happening tbh. It's about the community spirit that's standing up to the rioters. The civilians openly support the police in anything they do to combat the riots, I highly doubt they'll be getting involved in that part themselves..

 

[rokkolpo]

How I feel about the riots.

 

[Rawne1980]

I see where you're coming and I would agree but surely that would make it a protest as sorts? If so then when, over the past 5 days, have they put forward demands or petitions? And how does stealing a tv relate to any of the countries problems?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14458424

It really doesn't sound like they know why they're rioting.. Or they at least had to think long and hard about an excuse and even then it wasn't a very good one.

I'm pretty sure someone would have started a peaceful protest sooner or later, pretty much like the student protest over EMA cuts (which also had a bit of rioting due to some muppets).

The only problem is, others use it as an excuse to start what we have going on right now.

It only takes a few people to start off the rest. People were already upset and angry and then a few people kick off and the rest join in. It's like rolling a snowball down a hill. by the time it hits the bottom it's nearly a bloody avalanche.

Now the problem is that something has to give, either the police need to take control and parliament stop dicking them around and give them some power back or it really is going to get worse.

It's already starting up in other cities like Liverpool (go go my place of birth, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. Soon the smaller towns will start up, theres talk in Bolton and Burnley about starting so pretty sure it's going to happen elsewhere.

Nobody is bothered because, besides a few arrests, the police can't do shit, they have no power. Even after the arrests what do you think will happen? They will have a few go to jail for a few months, a few on community service, some fines and the rest will get a slap on the wrist.