General Chat

I didn't know that Bob, but surely being called to a panic button situation you could surely slip it on before entering the area just as you would have to load your gun beforehand.

Nana, the wearing of a bulletproof vest, is one of the most uncomfortable item of clothing devised.its very weight does not allow one to be worn, for example for a complete shift.........ok in small doses but not easy to wear for long periods. Bob

Its not really a question of the police being armed, that doesnt solve the issue. The main problem comes from lack of discipline in the younger generation and their complete disregard for authority in any form. To rectify this means going back to disciplining youngsters, in the home, at school and at work. years of interferance by do-gooder's have taken away the parents and the teacher's power's to make these kids understand that its not alright to answer their parents or their teacher's back and if they do then they must suffer the consequences, the way I have seen some children behave begger's belief and its about time they were brought back into line, then we wouldnt have so many hardened criminals the likes of whom carried out the recent shooting. Its not just our home grown criminals we have to worry about, we're letting them in from all over the world and this can only point to stricter immigration controls. Well I've had my say, I dont know how many people will agree but it seems the only logical way out. Len

I am very sad by what happened to those poor women PC's but don't think that arming them would have stopped this. Wearing bulletproof jackets and not just knife proof jackets would have certainly saved the 38 year olds life though.

When my son joined at 19 twelve years ago he was always partnered by a 'senior'officer when he was a probationer. Unfortunately now, he tells, me that doesn't always happen. At the station in the Met. that he works in there are supposed to be (at full strengh) 28 officers . For the last few years there are usually about 15. That's why you have to wait so long for any help. Linda

3 members of the police force have been shot in the last 20 years - I know that is 3 too many but to say you have to arm the police is in my opinion a kneejerk reaction. Bev's right - both police officers only had a few years experience between them and I would have thought they should have been paired up with a more expereinced officer. They had back up within 2 minutes but it was too late - the cowards had already made their getaway - it's unbelievable that this could happen in a busy street in broad daylight. Debby

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

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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