Islamaphobia is getting out of control

SeaWoozle

GrannyGravy13

If you were faced with a gang of folk with flares, what would you do?

Our police are largely unarmed. They'd be unwise to start firing into crowds. Or maybe we need people like the french CRS who are awful humans who use massive strong arm tactics, even at the slightest hint of protest or violence.

I've stood between a group of refugees and a gang of CRS because a refugee got upset over some rice. It was terrifying but necessary otherwise they were going to start firing CS gas at innocent people. In my best French I told the CRS everything was OK and they could leave.

I don't know what the answer is but that's not what I'd want....

It is The Mets job to keep law and order on London streets.

The Met is not paid to stand by and watch.

I am not impressed nor happy that parts of London have become no go areas on a Saturday.

Callistemon21

GrannyGravy13

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I think Sunak's words might have more effect if he did something to eliminate blatant racism in his MPs.

The Met is not paid to stand by and watch.

It's not the Met's job to start riots, either.

Which I think would be the consequence if they waded into a crowd of hyped up and volatile people and started trying to arrest some of them.
While they are contained within their march, however much one might disapprove of their language and dress, they are not fighting the police or wreaking mayhem in the surrounding area.

GrannyGravy13

I don't disagree. More needs to be done.

BUT WHAT?

Sh00t people? Shove them off the bridge? Use tear gas, rubber bu11ets? Use riot police to potentially turn the entire thing into absolute carnage? Stop altogether people's freedom/right to peacefully protest? MI5 being involved to catch the wrong'uns before they appear? Block off/prevent entry to entire stretches/parts of London, especially bridges?

So many people here just screeching into the wind without coming up with thoughts on solutions.

Yes, the Met needs to do something but what that is, I have NO idea.

Yes, we should have the freedom to travel to London and be safe, but if it's considered so dangerous, then why would you want to, with or without the presence of the police?

I'll stick to the wilds of Wales.

The Met, like every other force in the UK, police by consent. Policing huge demonstrations takes real skill. Feelings are running high. I wouldn’t want a riot triggered if that can be avoided.
I’m pleased that it’s now arrest-able if an individual refuses to remove face coverings. I’d like to see the people responsible for reflecting anti semitic statements onto HoP. I wish the marchers would stop chanting from the river. They know it’s offensive and I wish prosecutions could result though self discipline would be better

I dont even know what I feel about prosecutions for words, it's not my favourite thing in the world.

SeaWoozle

GrannyGravy13

I don't disagree. More needs to be done.

BUT WHAT?

Sh00t people? Shove them off the bridge? Use tear gas, rubber bu11ets? Use riot police to potentially turn the entire thing into absolute carnage? Stop altogether people's freedom/right to peacefully protest? MI5 being involved to catch the wrong'uns before they appear? Block off/prevent entry to entire stretches/parts of London, especially bridges?

So many people here just screeching into the wind without coming up with thoughts on solutions.

Yes, the Met needs to do something but what that is, I have NO idea.

Yes, we should have the freedom to travel to London and be safe, but if it's considered so dangerous, then why would you want to, with or without the presence of the police?

I'll stick to the wilds of Wales.

I find it puzzling that the Met can kettle far right right protesters on their way to the cenotaph, but tippy-toe round pro Palestinian supporters?

When Tony Robinson and his supporters were arrested before Remembrance Sunday, where were the worries about the Met causing a riot ?

I know that the U.K. police police by consent but surely it is giving the wrong message that pro-Palestinian marchers can go wherever they want and cause disruption in our capital city…

PC gone mad GG. They’re afraid of accusations of racism.

Police Forces had no problem with the Miners Strike, they thumped and battered

They hadn’t gone woke then.

I'll stick to the wilds of Wales. those of us that live in London don't have that choice. We just have to accept parts of our city are unavailable to us week after week.

MaizieD

Callistemon21

GrannyGravy13

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I think Sunak's words might have more effect if he did something to eliminate blatant racism in his MPs.

He totally ignore Islamophobia in his party, just as the Tories have done for years - whitewash after whitewash. So thereby managing to make the situation worse with one thoughtless polemic.

Small state policing? Disinvestment in public services has resulted in a very depleted police force. You can’t have it both ways.

Rosie51

^I'll stick to the wilds of Wales.^ those of us that live in London don't have that choice. We just have to accept parts of our city are unavailable to us week after week.

I remember it well from working there - or should I say trying to work whilst protesters shouting, blowing whistles, banging drums or anything else to make a deafening racket marched past my office. And it’s much worse now.

Anniebach

Police Forces had no problem with the Miners Strike, they thumped and battered

Looking at it from a purely political (as opposed to personal) point, the miners' strike and demonstrations was a very domestic affair, unlikely to cause any ripples outside of our shores.

The pro-Palestinian marches on the other hand are being noted world-wide, any action by the Police that might result in riots and violence could trigger reactions that might escalate into serious conflict.

The Police are not the military, they are limited in their powers. Which gives the impression that they are just standing by and allowing these protests unhindered. I don't believe that's the case. We are not privy to the briefings of the Police high-command, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are being urged on the side of caution.

Anniebach

Police Forces had no problem with the Miners Strike, they thumped and battered

So you think that would be fine in the current situation?

Personally I think that it wasn't fine then and wouldn't be fine now.

Frankly I think that the police have handled all the marches with professionalism. The fact that they have all almost without exception have taken place peacefully shows a skill honed over decades of experience.

Whitewavemark2

Frankly I think that the police have handled all the marches with professionalism. The fact that they have all almost without exception have taken place peacefully shows a skill honed over decades of experience.

So you are ok with the blocking of Tower Bridge yesterday evening along with the protesters letting off of flares.

Flares by the way are capable of seriously injuring humans and animals including blinding…

True GrannyGavy seems no problem with blocking the bridge, no problem with From The River To The Sea on
Queen Elizabeth Tower, no problem with MP’s house being surrounded ,

Whitewavemark2

Frankly I think that the police have handled all the marches with professionalism. The fact that they have all almost without exception have taken place peacefully shows a skill honed over decades of experience.

I was on a march very many years ago now (totally different issue). Unfortunately, we got close to a cohort who were bent on trouble.

I saw first hand that there are those who - not only want to disrupt, but actually want the Police to react in the way that some are proposing - they want to be arrested, they want violence.

I'm sure the force are well aware of these individuals - that's another reason probably why they are being cautious.

Whitewavemark2

Frankly I think that the police have handled all the marches with professionalism. The fact that they have all almost without exception have taken place peacefully shows a skill honed over decades of experience.

Peaceful, only because the protestors have been allowed to get away with promoting terrorism,projecting anti semitic words onto our H of P, shouting jihad, flying banned terrorists flags. Strange how Kahn has rejected more money for policing
from the Government.

Dickens it doesn’t explain why about 60 were allowed to
surround the home of a MP

I assume the flares on Tower Bridge yesterday could have dropped on passing vehicles, and ignited them. Do these protesters not use their brains?

Thatcher used the police in the miners strike. The legacy of mistrust set up then continues,

Freya5 what do you mean ‘it’s strange how Khan has rejected more money for policing from the government’

Joseann

I assume the flares on Tower Bridge yesterday could have dropped on passing vehicles, and ignited them. Do these protesters not use their brains?

Most are protestors with a cause.

A few of them will be the brainless idiots who tag on to any protest, intent on causing trouble and inciting anarchy.