First let me say I was brought up in Tottenham for the first 12 years of my life.(1945-57) It was a nice working class area with a lot of amenities for youngsters and people took pride in their homes. Broadwater farm estate was built on the allotments including my Fathers and I enjoyed many happy days their.
The BBC today described it as one of the most deprived areas of London.That makes me sad and I also remember PC Blakelock being decapitated in 1985 during the last unrest in the area.
As for Riots I have a great deal of experience of them in Northern Ireland and indeed being scared during them. I have had most things thrown at me and our protection was nothing compared to today. I made sure I was near the squaddie at the back who carried the fire extinguisher(and needed his help once)
As for the Army on the streets? Most definately not. They have built up a great deal of respect and admiration(at the cost of many lives and injuries I might add)that would vanish overnight
The Army is to defend the nation from foreign threats.
The Police is to defend us from ourselves.
Dealing with incidents like Yesterday I would do the following
1 Using a very loud PA system Order the crowd to disperse in an orderly fashion in small groups within five minutes or they will be removed by force.
This instruction to be given in English only.
2 For those who want to make a fight of it. I would use baton rounds on those with missiles and tasers on those who want to make a fight of it.
4 Tell the IPCC to take a running jump for situations like this.
5 Tell The European Court of Human Rights the same as 4
But we will never have a government with guts enough to do it.
Rant Over, and breathe
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