Nicely done sir...

[original PM]

In general yes. But not always.

Very true

What do you think is the ratio of innocent people being harassed by the police to innocent people not being harassed by the police?

[BrilloPad]

Very true

What do you think is the ratio of innocent people being harassed by the police to innocent people not being harassed by the police?

Sounds like statistics! I wish sasguru would turn up to help.....

I am sure there are very few innocent people being harassed(except during demos). I am not going to condone it in case it becomes the thin end of the wedge.

Suppose this drug dealer had a knife or gun and the guy had been hurt as a result?

[NickFitz]

Sadly true, but mostly down to the likes of the Anarchist / Anti-Capitalist bolshie brigade who turn up specifically for a fight and a bit of casual vandalism / looting. They can usually be found at the back of the demo wearing balaclavas or hoodies and scarves and waiting for a chance to cause some trouble. This, unfortunately, leads the police to suspect anyone on the demo of being a potential troublemaker and treat them accordingly.

As George Firsoff put it to me (about ten hours before that photo was taken, as it happens): "At a CND rally, they're always the ones ten rows back shouting at the people in front to kill a copper."

[BrilloPad]

Sadly true, but mostly down to the likes of the Anarchist / Anti-Capitalist bolshie brigade who turn up specifically for a fight and a bit of casual vandalism / looting. They can usually be found at the back of the demo wearing balaclavas or hoodies and scarves and waiting for a chance to cause some trouble. This, unfortunately, leads the police to suspect anyone on the demo of being a potential troublemaker and treat them accordingly.

Not helped when reasonable demonstrations get kettled. The issue with kettles is that they boil over.....

[NickFitz]

'Cause they are really discreet about stuff like this. After he's been sued by the drug dealer the helpful guy will be the target of everything thug in a 10 mile radius.

Given that his address is "Wellington Barracks beside Buckingham Palace", I reckon he'll be OK

[SueEllen]

Sounds like statistics! I wish sasguru would turn up to help.....

I am sure there are very few innocent people being harassed(except during demos). I am not going to condone it in case it becomes the thin end of the wedge.

Suppose this drug dealer had a knife or gun and the guy had been hurt as a result?

Not likely as it's the wrong part of London for guns.

And as he was too busy running away from the police he would not have time to get his knife out.

The guy running away was lucky there wasn't an old woman with a handbag around.

[darmstadt]

The guy running away was lucky there wasn't an old woman with a handbag around.

So you weren't in town shopping that day