observer Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Can it ever be right, as did Charles Bronson in "Death Wish"; to take the law into your own hands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I would suggest that it has always gone on. It shouldn't be right, but given the failure of the Police and the Courts to effectively deal with the increasing problems of today, it might well be that people will pursue that more vigorously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Whilst not called vigilantes, it is common practice in parts of Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland, and indeed on certain housing estates throughout the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Seems like a good solution to me! I wonder if the Lib Dems will adopt it as part of their manifesto. Or maybe they will adapt it slightly so that they can go out and hug a few offenders!! [ 12.02.2008, 08:48: Message edited by: BazJ ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Only if there is a photo opportunity in it for them Baz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Seems a Chief Constable has suggested extending the role of neighbourhood watch groups to "patrol troubled estates" - is this a sign we're going to be getting even less police on the streets and substitute it with policing on the cheap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little fella Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 I can certainly see it happening, I know it is being done in other parts of the county. Not sure if it is with the blessing or blind eye of the police. With loosing 100 officers here in Cheshire due to government cuts you will see less somewhere? In certain parts of N.I. the IRA street patrols had more effect than the police. anyone caught doing things against their rules and you were knee kapped. In my old part of east london there are local patrols carried out by the asian community, they work very well, so my sister says, yes they will give kids a telling off and even a belt but no real violence. They walk around in a group of about 6 ~ 8, they dont talk to the police about whats going on, they just deal with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 I dont mind not having police roaming the streets, what I do mind is their lack of response when you do want them. they should trust the publics ability to judge escilation of issues rather than playing incidents down as "normal" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBain Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Hmmm... vigilantes are okay, but lynch mobs are presumably not? What's the fundamental difference between the two? The former are associated with "rough justice", but what if YOU are on the receiving end? What if you didn't think that you did anything wrong, but a vigilante who is "making a stand" takes offence at whatever you did, turns up at your door and subjects you to some GBH just to "teach you a lesson". Would you still be all for it then, or would you run to the Police and demand a response? If anyone should be doling out rough justice in the form of a belt around the ear 'ole it should be the Police, no-one else. Just my tuppence worth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 And very good value for money it is as well McB. There have been cases recently of vigilanty action against people who were wrongly identified....one of them was a person wrongly accused of being a paedophile. No need for "vigilantes" there are plenty of police it is just that they are bogged down with paperwork, reaching targets etc. get that sorted and they can be put back onto street patrols. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Think we're aware of the nurds who attacked the peadotrician - but perhaps if (due to the absence of the police) members of the public were to tackle yobs at the time and scene of their crime, no question of guilt would exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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