General Chat

I think it is, they have a very dangerous job to do and I think now is the time to Arm them ALL! Gone are the days of the Good old british Bobby, sent to fight off criminals with nothing more than a truncheon, they are dealing with todays SCUM!! ARM THEM ALL!I say.

Yes I agree with you whole heartedly. It's become a very dangerous job. Europe and America are armed, so why not us? Jo.

I think our Police should carry arms. The gun is in our Society unfortunately and at times such as this a Truncheon just doesn't do it!!! We have a Section of our Army who are always in attendance at Banks etc. when large amounts of money are being moved.... armed, obviously, with rifles!! Our Police also carry guns.... a bit scarey at first but I doubt they hardly ever draw them!! Jacquie xx xxx

Jacqui, Even the security gaurds carry them here, like you at first I was a little nervous, but as you say Ive never seen them used, In some ways I find it a comfort to know they have that option.

Our PSNI ( Police Service Northern Ireland ) carry guns. Not sure wether it works because of the troubles here anyway . All our emergency services are risk these days.....some of the Fire & Ambulance crew are lured into traps in certain places of Belfast and pelted with all sorts.......WHY??? Beggars believe what these young thugs are so angry about?

Roxanne... we have security guards at most of the stores here and some do carry guns!!! As you say, I feel safer knowing the police are armed!

I totally agree with you Roxanne, it might make the scumbags think twice in future. Marie

It would probably help a lot if we had the Police back on the Beat where they belong. I am very pleased that a High-Ranking Police officer said recently that is what is needed. There would be a lot less 'Detecting' to do if our Bobbies were prowling round the streets watching out for Law Breakers, and becoming known to the people like they used to.

Here are my views on this: 1) I am not sure that armed police are a deterrent, because if they were, countries with armed police (USA and most of Europe) would have much lower crime rates, and I don't think they do. 2) a weapon is only of use if the policeman has it ready to use - if a criminal knows you have a gun, and has a weapon ready to use, he can shoot /stab/bludgeon the policeman before he can get his gun out of its holster. I don't think I know enough about the pros and cons of this to have a definite opinion - other than the more weapons there are around, the more people (innocent and guilty) will be injured. nell

Could I just also say that I am not sure that 'today's scum' are so different from 'yesterday's scum'? Policemen have been killed on duty ever since they came into existence. In about 1860ish, a policeman was fatally stabbed at a public demonstration in fields about a spit away from where the Family Records Centre is now, and the jury brought in a verdict of 'justifiable homicide', such was the local hostillity towards policemen.

Nell -are you reading the same book as me?!!! I read about the above too recently. I personally don't like the idea of all police officers being armed. I don't think it would be a deterrent.

Sheila I don't know - what book are you reading!! I got this info from a thick booklet/thin book called 'Criminal Islington' which I bought at the Islington Local History Centre. I was most amused to find an old map of part of St Luke's, showing the exact road where my husband's great-grandmother was born. It was a den of thieves, drunks and prostitution!! nell

Sorry Nell - lol, 'London - The Biography' by Peter Ackroyd.

As an ex Met police officer with husband, son and daughter serving, the general consensus of opinion in the family is that we don't want all officers to be armed. What we do need is more police officers on the street to protect the public and each other. The public would be horrified if they knew just how few parade each day to go out on patrol, not enough to man the cars sometimes and well below the required strength. There are too many in offices and on 'squads'. If an officer shouts for help it needs to be minutes away, not as in some cases about twenty. Jenny

Actually Nell, Spains are lower and rather alot lower!!and I also think alot of europes are!!

I think todays 'SCUM' are different than yesterday, the main difference is that fire arms are easier to get hold of, and perhaps if these women had been armed just maybe one wouldent have been lying on a mortuary slab and the other in intensive care.

Roxanne It wouldn't have made any difference if these policewomen had been armed - they were unaware an armed robbery was taking place and had only just got out of their car when they were shot so wouldn't have had time to draw their weapons. Debby

If the police are armed the population should have access to arms too - otherwise all that happens is another police state is created. Do we really want that?

My question here is Why were 2 FEMALE PROBATIONARY, officers sent to respond to situation alerted by a panic button?? surely the Risk was known, otherwise why was the panic button installed in the first place. i thought all probationers were partnered by a senior collegue Bev

I agree with Grampa Christmas ( Jim) and by the looks of it so does Jenny ( the horses mouth so to speak - not said in an insulting way ) . More police on the streets would act as a deterrent........so how do we have such a demand and supply problem? why can we not recruit into our forces? We have a problem in Northern Ireland where they are closing village/police stations........yes you read right CLOSING . Its terrible!! Much happiness Debi