Underclass scum and "normal" people who joined them

During the last several days and nights civilised and decent citizens of this lovely land of Britain experienced shocking images of underclass scum thugs looting and setting whatever they could on fire.

Apparently, packs of deprived youths were able to shaken and rock the normality of the British street to such extend that they were apparently joined by opportunistic hundreds of those who had something wrong with their moral compasses and who got carried away giving in to the mentality of an aggressive mob.

Certainly for many, it was one of those moments when normal rules do not apply and everything is allowed which gives an impression that under a thin layer of normal social relationships there is a beastly drive to aggressive, violent looting with no regard to anything.

So we have observed packs of underclass youth representing gang culture and some “normal” people who seemingly joined them maybe in a mix of greed and dislike of those more successful and rich, or maybe in a sudden rush of power and impunity felt by those normally powerless. 

MG

Water cannons and plastic bullets

Riots and violent looting across the England shocked the society and the use of water cannons and baton rounds (plastic bullets) have been allowed by the government to the Police.

I don’t expect water cannons to be extensively useful or effective in combating thugs. First of all, over dozen water cannons serve in Northern Ireland and it is unlikely to see them on the streets of England tonight. Even if they appear the problem will be the same – they cannot be everywhere. Secondly, water cannons are effective in dispersing big crowds of protesters trying to confront the police but not against mobile groups of youths focused on personal gain and causing mayhem, attacking and looting not protected spots and quickly disappearing afterwards. Water cannons will have rather psychological effect and will help to convince the society that “something has been done” to tackle the problem.

Baton rounds (plastic bullets) will be more useful. By now, the deployed heavy armoured lines of police can easily withstand stones and other thrown at them missiles but usually is neither able to outrun and catch up with running thugs nor to engage them over distance.  Plastic bullets will change that adding to the comfort and safety police officers involved increasing area of their effectiveness during combat.

MG