Well done those courageous policemen and women

Many years ago my DH had to tackle a man with a samurai sword who was charging along the street. The man was at least twice as heavy as my DH, but managed to tackle him to the ground before his colleagues arrived to help arrest him. My children were in floods of tears when footage was shown on the news

As I understand it they have to be fairly close before using the taser - one officer got close enough and was injured. I commend them for their courage. It is very easy to criticise after an event - these officers had to make split second decisions, how many of us would like to be in that position.

Hopefully the police officers involved will not be "disciplined" for not treating him with "respect and consideration"!

Galaxy

I had no idea they were legal but I suppose I hadn't given it a great deal of thought. Why would anyone need a sword.

The only sensible reason for owning a sword is that you practice some kind of swordplay as a martial art.

People who do so, know very well that swords are dangerous and keep them locked away when not in use.

It surprises me to hear that you do not need a licence to own swords, bayonets or military knives in the UK, as I live in a country where you do need licences for blank weapons. THese are issued by the police, and it is illegal to be seen in public with any weapon unless you have your licence with you and the weapon is sheathed.

I think those who think they know how the police should better handle things need to be in one of those situations to see how they would manage.
They forget police are human beings too not robots.
Constantly criticising just makes the lives of police harder than it needs to be.

It is also illegal here to be in possession of a bladed article in public.
I think the blade has to be over 4 inches.
Can't quite remember.
There are other details.
But obviously someone who goes about attempting to kill people will not be deterred by the fact he should not have a sword in public.

Well said AGAA4. It’s so easy to watch footage and criticise police. My work meant I was often alongside them in potentially dangerous situations as well as in sensitive areas involving children, of mental health
I’ve the utmost respect for the way they manage and diffuse explosive situations. The incident under discussion was very high risk for police and public.
I wonder how skilled those criticising would be in life threatening situations. “0ffi er stabbed “ -“turniquet for the governor”. The governor had tried to stop the sword slashing using his baton. His hand was slashed

As the mother of a police officer i appreciate all these wonderful comments . I have sat through commendation ceremonies and I can tell you the courage of these men and women is so humbling . I have been moved to tears listening to accounts of their heroism . Very rarely reported on the news . They are constantly criticised and demoralised in the media by those that would not be fit to tie their shoelaces so thankyou everyone especially **Sparklefizz who started this thread . It's easy to read reports from your armchair and suggest ways in which fast moving and violent situations could or should have been handled but they make split second decisions and always to protect life . We're very lucky to have the most tolerant police force in the world and should support them always .

There are also a couple on here who seem to be so knowledgeable about how to use a taser , you're wasted in front of that screen . Should join the police and show them all how it's done !!!

sparkle1234

There are also a couple on here who seem to be so knowledgeable about how to use a taser , you're wasted in front of that screen . Should join the police and show them all how it's done !!!

Yes, it’s interesting how knowledgeable ‘armchair warriors’ are, isn’t it.

I’m grateful for our police force and the way they ‘police by consent’ wherever possible.

No, they’re not perfect - because they’re human beings. But they do a thankless job that many wouldn’t (and couldn’t) do; they often deal with the ‘dregs of society’; when we run away from danger they run towards it.

We’d be in a sorry state without them, and I thank all of you who have police officers in your families. I’m sure you worry about them when they’re on duty.

Thankyou LizzieDrip

...I thank all of you who have police officers in your families. I’m sure you worry about them when they’re on duty.

I've learnt not to, though some of the stories they tell later make my hair stand on end! 😲

Well done. They are heroes.

This is ow a taser works
999essentials.com/how-do-police-tasers-work/#:~:text=Tasers%20function%20by%20releasing%20two%20wires%20with%20probes,neuromuscular%20system%2C%20causing%20temporary%20paralysis%20and%20intense%20pain.

How Do Police Tasers Work?
Tasers function by releasing two wires with probes that deliver a short burst of electricity when embedded in the person’s body. This electric shock disrupts the suspect’s neuromuscular system, causing temporary paralysis and intense pain.

The goal is to gain compliance from individuals who pose a threat while minimizing the risk of serious injury or death.

Although deaths from tasers are rare when used correctly, prolonged exposure can increase the likelihood of severe harm.

As such, it is crucial for police officers to follow guidelines that recommend taser use only when someone is actively resisting and there is a risk of bodily harm.

In this article, we will explore the inner workings of police tasers, discuss their effects and risks, examine different models available on the market, address controversies surrounding their use, and provide insights into the legal status of tasers.

We once had to call the police in a really horrible situation where a member of our family very nearly lost their life (I’m not going into the details). Suffice to say that the police were brilliant and incredibly supportive.. My daughter always asks people who are critical of the police if they have ever needed to ring them in a life or death situation. The answer is almost always ‘no’. She suggests that they reserve their judgement until they have really needed their help.

My 20 year old grandson wanted to be a policeman ever since he was two and wore a dressing up uniform! He became a cadet as soon as he was old enough and joined the force at 18. Two years on I do worry about the situations he deals with on a day to day basis - especially so young - but he takes it all in his stride and faces it all with courage, confidence and bravery - and I couldn’t be prouder of him and his colleagues

Adrenalin must have been coursing through them. So easy to criticise after the event.
This can was absolutely off his head and unreachable by talking to. He'd skinned and eaten his cat!! I hope he's remanded in a secure hospital.
Hats off to those policemen/women

Aveline, he was found guilty of murder, despite defence that he was psychotic as a result of cannabis use. The decision seems to be he chose to use cannabis therefore he committed murder not with diminished responsibility.

I expect he will start his sentence in a top security prison. He may be moved as ronnie Kray was, eventually.

I’m relieved it was a murder conviction

welbeck

It is also illegal here to be in possession of a bladed article in public.
I think the blade has to be over 4 inches.
Can't quite remember.
There are other details.
But obviously someone who goes about attempting to kill people will not be deterred by the fact he should not have a sword in public.

Exactly and how do the Police know who has bought zombie knives and machetes, which are illegal to own, through the internet?

It was most certainly murder!

It was Aveline

Sarnie
Thanks for that further information.
I hadn't realised it is now illegal to possess zombie style knives or machetes.
Think they have to be 8 inch blade and other details re points holes spikes.
This came in last Sept.
I hadn't kept up with the news.
I take your point about the supply chain too.

Sparklefizz

I have just seen the film clip of the policemen and women trying to arrest the man with the sword who had already killed a child. When the rest of us would rush away to find somewhere safe, they ran towards him using just a baton and a taser.

Well done to them, and all gratitude that we have such brave men and women to protect the public. They should be honoured.

You said it , Sparklefizz.
👏👏👏👏👏

Given what the police have to put up with sometimes it astonishes me that we can still get people to do the job.
I know there are bad apples but they are not the whole barrel.

The police are recruited from ordinary society, where not all of us are perfect. We shouldn’t be shocked to find some get through recruitment and training

"Samurai sword killer is jailed for 40 years"