The closest we, as kids, got to a youth worker was the bloke who opened Rathmore Youth Centre on Troughton Road on a Friday night and he barely said hello, but guess what, we knew we shouldn't shoot and stab each other and there were white, black and asian kids all in attendance, course you got the odd disagreement and punch up.
We had Mr Hart the police liaison officer. He got bonus marks for looking like the police chief from Inspector Gadget. Only other youth workers were from the local church. They were too nice to object to their excellent package of activities being overrun by atheists
Prison is far to easy for these idiots. If they like killing and maiming so much then don't send them to prison, enforce military conscription. They are plenty of war zones at the moment that they could go to. That might even learn the difference between right and wrong.
I'm always amazed when people say how easy prison is. It's not all TV and home comforts. I've worked in a couple and they were overcrowded, very limited time outdoors, crawling with cockroaches and an undercurrent of violence about to break out at any moment - that was just the womens one.
This is right. They are terrifying places and the violent and manipulative thrive. Ronnie Barker wouldn't survive 2 minutes, nor would genial Harry Grout....
The closest we, as kids, got to a youth worker was the bloke who opened Rathmore Youth Centre on Troughton Road on a Friday night and he barely said hello, but guess what, we knew we shouldn't shoot and stab each other and there were white, black and asian kids all in attendance, course you got the odd disagreement and punch up.
We had Mr Hart the police liaison officer. He got bonus marks for looking like the police chief from Inspector Gadget. Only other youth workers were from the local church. They were too nice to object to their excellent package of activities being overrun by atheists
The closest we, as kids, got to a youth worker was the bloke who opened Rathmore Youth Centre on Troughton Road on a Friday night and he barely said hello, but guess what, we knew we shouldn't shoot and stab each other and there were white, black and asian kids all in attendance, course you got the odd disagreement and punch up.
We had Mr Hart the police liaison officer. He got bonus marks for looking like the police chief from Inspector Gadget. Only other youth workers were from the local church. They were too nice to object to their excellent package of activities being overrun by atheists
We had PC Baines
But that was just for Green Cross Code in Thorntree infants
It's tragic. It needs to be stamped out and I say that as someone who does think the police are institutionally racist.
TBH I don't recognise the London I live in from some of the posts above. I worry about my kids going places, but they are both sensible and know to avoid trouble. They both get a lot out of living in London that just wouldn't happen in the suburbs or a country town.
To solve the problem? We need to decriminalise drugs. End prohibition. Of course the gangs will move onto something else, but it won't be anywhere as lucrative.
Use the revenue raised from drugs taxes to fund youth services and things to divert teenager's energies.
It's tragic. It needs to be stamped out and I say that as someone who does think the police are institutionally racist.
TBH I don't recognise the London I live in from some of the posts above. I worry about my kids going places, but they are both sensible and know to avoid trouble. They both get a lot out of living in London that just wouldn't happen in the suburbs or a country town.
To solve the problem? We need to decriminalise drugs. End prohibition. Of course the gangs will move onto something else, but it won't be anywhere as lucrative.
Use the revenue raised from drugs taxes to fund youth services and things to divert teenager's energies.
It's tragic. It needs to be stamped out and I say that as someone who does think the police are institutionally racist.
TBH I don't recognise the London I live in from some of the posts above. I worry about my kids going places, but they are both sensible and know to avoid trouble. They both get a lot out of living in London that just wouldn't happen in the suburbs or a country town.
To solve the problem? We need to decriminalise drugs. End prohibition. Of course the gangs will move onto something else, but it won't be anywhere as lucrative.
Use the revenue raised from drugs taxes to fund youth services and things to divert teenager's energies.
Why on earth do you think that today's Police Force - not the one of 20 years ago- is institutionally racist?
Coppers I know were all brought up in very diverse areas and don't, as far as I know, have a racist bone in their body. On the contrary, they just want to help everyone irrespective of colour or creed.
It's tragic. It needs to be stamped out and I say that as someone who does think the police are institutionally racist.
TBH I don't recognise the London I live in from some of the posts above. I worry about my kids going places, but they are both sensible and know to avoid trouble. They both get a lot out of living in London that just wouldn't happen in the suburbs or a country town.
To solve the problem? We need to decriminalise drugs. End prohibition. Of course the gangs will move onto something else, but it won't be anywhere as lucrative.
Use the revenue raised from drugs taxes to fund youth services and things to divert teenager's energies.
Why on earth do you think that today's Police Force - not the one of 20 years ago- is institutionally racist?
Coppers I know were all brought up in very diverse areas and don't, as far as I know, have a racist bone in their body. On the contrary, they just want to help everyone irrespective of colour or creed.
If you watch the Stephen Lawrence documentary recently shown on the BBC you have ample demonstration of how institutionally racist the police was back at the time of murder. The investigation was shameful and many changes have been made since within the Met.
Gangs are a problem across the UK - there seem to be a lot of people on here who know the solution.
It's tragic. It needs to be stamped out and I say that as someone who does think the police are institutionally racist.
TBH I don't recognise the London I live in from some of the posts above. I worry about my kids going places, but they are both sensible and know to avoid trouble. They both get a lot out of living in London that just wouldn't happen in the suburbs or a country town.
To solve the problem? We need to decriminalise drugs. End prohibition. Of course the gangs will move onto something else, but it won't be anywhere as lucrative.
Use the revenue raised from drugs taxes to fund youth services and things to divert teenager's energies.
Why on earth do you think that today's Police Force - not the one of 20 years ago- is institutionally racist?
Coppers I know were all brought up in very diverse areas and don't, as far as I know, have a racist bone in their body. On the contrary, they just want to help everyone irrespective of colour or creed.
If you watch the Stephen Lawrence documentary recently shown on the BBC you have ample demonstration of how institutionally racist the police was back at the time of murder. The investigation was shameful and many changes have been made since within the Met.
Gangs are a problem across the UK - there seem to be a lot of people on here who know the solution.
I agree about the police force 20 years ago. I have not denied it.
The question I was asking rananegra is why does he still consider the police force institutionally racist TODAY when clearly it has undergone huge changes in recent years?
It's tragic. It needs to be stamped out and I say that as someone who does think the police are institutionally racist.
TBH I don't recognise the London I live in from some of the posts above. I worry about my kids going places, but they are both sensible and know to avoid trouble. They both get a lot out of living in London that just wouldn't happen in the suburbs or a country town.
To solve the problem? We need to decriminalise drugs. End prohibition. Of course the gangs will move onto something else, but it won't be anywhere as lucrative.
Use the revenue raised from drugs taxes to fund youth services and things to divert teenager's energies.
Why on earth do you think that today's Police Force - not the one of 20 years ago- is institutionally racist?
Coppers I know were all brought up in very diverse areas and don't, as far as I know, have a racist bone in their body. On the contrary, they just want to help everyone irrespective of colour or creed.
If you watch the Stephen Lawrence documentary recently shown on the BBC you have ample demonstration of how institutionally racist the police was back at the time of murder. The investigation was shameful and many changes have been made since within the Met.
Gangs are a problem across the UK - there seem to be a lot of people on here who know the solution.
I agree about the police force 20 years ago. I have not denied it.
The question I was asking rananegra is why does he still consider the police force institutionally racist TODAY when clearly it has undergone huge changes in recent years?
The issue was people on this thread using the 'Stephen Lawrence Day is bullshit, PC gone mad, we need these people to stop playing the victim' line of argument...conveniently forgetting that the hoo-hah about the Lawrence case is one of the reasons the police have improved. Nor should it be forgotten.
Why? The stabbings and shootings are contained pretty much amongst one section of the community. Unfortunately until that community steps up to the plate to help deal with it the crimes will continue.
There was a big knife crime problem in Glasgow - the gangs were mainly white. They had a strategy for dealing with this - VRU(violence reduction unit) which addressed the problem as a health issue - it has had some effect dealing with the problem.
Gangs have always been a fact of life in London and need to be dealt with. Nobody as yet in London has really had a coordinated approach to recent problems. It can't simply be about punishment if there's no attempt to address why these gangs exist - you need a clever approach with good intelligence and we don't have that. Too many simple solutions offered.
The mother needs to have a word with herself blaming everyone except herself and the son
If parents don’t know and don’t care what their kids are doing then this is what happens
Too many people too scared to face the ugly and difficult fact that the biggest threat to young black men is young black men and unfortunately the police need to target that demographic and come down hard , the government and courts need to do the same
Then local youth leaders and community leaders like boxing coaches and football coaches need to use the positive influences they hold further into the community and school system
But all of this is only possible if the parents of these children change first
Who all by the way are a level brilliant footballers who work in the community and never in trouble unbelievable that they are even involved in gangs or trouble
That’s how blind lazy and shameful shit they are as parents
You get the exceptions in the Knox and mizen cases but they are the rare cases
There are quite a few exceptions - some are black.
I grew up in South east London and went to school in New Cross. I still live in the same area and have two boys who are 12 and 15 who go to the local secondary school.
I am a deputy headteacher in a south east London secondary school which has students across the demographic.
I made a conscious decision that I would work in such a school and bring my children up in London.
I do not regret it one bit.
The black children I teach are subjected to stop and search on a regular basis. It is now part of their journey home. I do not not know of one child who had been found with anything illegal on them. Is this a racist approach? Course it is as it is based on their colour. The vast majority of these are good kids, very good kids. They want to do well in school and aspire to better themselves. Forget the notion that there is an anti boffin or anti geek culture in schools. There isn’t. They want to be in the top sets. They know the benefit of being hard working. These kids are in school on Saturdays and during holidays. For many education is seen as vital if they are to not replicate the lives of their parents.
I have no real solution to the current issues. It is far too complicated for there to be one solution. I am sure, however, that if many of the out of school evening opportunities that used to be provided had not seen huge funding reductions, more children would be engaged in activities that stimulated them and give them further opportunities to learn and pursue new interests.
This is now why schools like mine are open from 7am to 7pm. We provide revision areas, breakfast, basketball, boxing and fitness classes. We provide a safe and quiet place to study.
This costs us a lot of money but is so vital. The uptake for it is phenomenal.
My eldest son has a number of black friends who he socialises with. They are good lads and come from a range of different households. They are polite but of course have a cheekiness that most 15 year old boys have.
Only last week they all went to Sports Direct to buy swimming shorts. They were refused entry. They didn’t argue or make a scene. They are used to it. My son sees this and knows if he was with an all white group of friends he could go pretty much anywhere without fear of refused entry to a sports shop!
I think this gives my son a sense of how the world works. He sees injustice and I know it makes him a more rounded young man. He challenges prejudice and sees its effects.
Once a boy in my school told me he has two options in the evening. Either stay at home ( a one bedroom flat where he shares a bedroom with two brothers) or join a gang. Eventually the better option for him becomes pretty clear.
As I said earlier there is not an easy solution to this. But believe me there are many many good young people who, despite many obstacles, are trying to make something positive of their lives.
Why? The stabbings and shootings are contained pretty much amongst one section of the community. Unfortunately until that community steps up to the plate to help deal with it the crimes will continue.
There was a big knife crime problem in Glasgow - the gangs were mainly white. They had a strategy for dealing with this - VRU(violence reduction unit) which addressed the problem as a health issue - it has had some effect dealing with the problem.
Gangs have always been a fact of life in London and need to be dealt with. Nobody as yet in London has really had a coordinated approach to recent problems. It can't simply be about punishment if there's no attempt to address why these gangs exist - you need a clever approach with good intelligence and we don't have that. Too many simple solutions offered.
Knife crime in Glasgow was the reason Doctors from all over the world were sent there for stab training but the OP says LONDON. No matter how we skirt around it the problem here and now is within the Black community.
I grew up in South east London and went to school in New Cross. I still live in the same area and have two boys who are 12 and 15 who go to the local secondary school.
I am a deputy headteacher in a south east London secondary school which has students across the demographic.
I made a conscious decision that I would work in such a school and bring my children up in London.
I do not regret it one bit.
The black children I teach are subjected to stop and search on a regular basis. It is now part of their journey home. I do not not know of one child who had been found with anything illegal on them. Is this a racist approach? Course it is as it is based on their colour. The vast majority of these are good kids, very good kids. They want to do well in school and aspire to better themselves. Forget the notion that there is an anti boffin or anti geek culture in schools. There isn’t. They want to be in the top sets. They know the benefit of being hard working. These kids are in school on Saturdays and during holidays. For many education is seen as vital if they are to not replicate the lives of their parents.
I have no real solution to the current issues. It is far too complicated for there to be one solution. I am sure, however, that if many of the out of school evening opportunities that used to be provided had not seen huge funding reductions, more children would be engaged in activities that stimulated them and give them further opportunities to learn and pursue new interests.
This is now why schools like mine are open from 7am to 7pm. We provide revision areas, breakfast, basketball, boxing and fitness classes. We provide a safe and quiet place to study.
This costs us a lot of money but is so vital. The uptake for it is phenomenal.
My eldest son has a number of black friends who he socialises with. They are good lads and come from a range of different households. They are polite but of course have a cheekiness that most 15 year old boys have.
Only last week they all went to Sports Direct to buy swimming shorts. They were refused entry. They didn’t argue or make a scene. They are used to it. My son sees this and knows if he was with an all white group of friends he could go pretty much anywhere without fear of refused entry to a sports shop!
I think this gives my son a sense of how the world works. He sees injustice and I know it makes him a more rounded young man. He challenges prejudice and sees its effects.
Once a boy in my school told me he has two options in the evening. Either stay at home ( a one bedroom flat where he shares a bedroom with two brothers) or join a gang. Eventually the better option for him becomes pretty clear.
As I said earlier there is not an easy solution to this. But believe me there are many many good young people who, despite many obstacles, are trying to make something positive of their lives.
Thanks for posting that @sirjohnhumphrey a useful and informative insight, that shows that individual actions are not as simple as people make them out to be.
A very heartening post and I'm sure it represents how the vast majority of young kids, both black and white, actually approach life in this wonderful metropolis of ours.
I grew up in South east London and went to school in New Cross. I still live in the same area and have two boys who are 12 and 15 who go to the local secondary school.
I am a deputy headteacher in a south east London secondary school which has students across the demographic.
I made a conscious decision that I would work in such a school and bring my children up in London.
I do not regret it one bit.
The black children I teach are subjected to stop and search on a regular basis. It is now part of their journey home. I do not not know of one child who had been found with anything illegal on them. Is this a racist approach? Course it is as it is based on their colour. The vast majority of these are good kids, very good kids. They want to do well in school and aspire to better themselves. Forget the notion that there is an anti boffin or anti geek culture in schools. There isn’t. They want to be in the top sets. They know the benefit of being hard working. These kids are in school on Saturdays and during holidays. For many education is seen as vital if they are to not replicate the lives of their parents.
I have no real solution to the current issues. It is far too complicated for there to be one solution. I am sure, however, that if many of the out of school evening opportunities that used to be provided had not seen huge funding reductions, more children would be engaged in activities that stimulated them and give them further opportunities to learn and pursue new interests.
This is now why schools like mine are open from 7am to 7pm. We provide revision areas, breakfast, basketball, boxing and fitness classes. We provide a safe and quiet place to study.
This costs us a lot of money but is so vital. The uptake for it is phenomenal.
My eldest son has a number of black friends who he socialises with. They are good lads and come from a range of different households. They are polite but of course have a cheekiness that most 15 year old boys have.
Only last week they all went to Sports Direct to buy swimming shorts. They were refused entry. They didn’t argue or make a scene. They are used to it. My son sees this and knows if he was with an all white group of friends he could go pretty much anywhere without fear of refused entry to a sports shop!
I think this gives my son a sense of how the world works. He sees injustice and I know it makes him a more rounded young man. He challenges prejudice and sees its effects.
Once a boy in my school told me he has two options in the evening. Either stay at home ( a one bedroom flat where he shares a bedroom with two brothers) or join a gang. Eventually the better option for him becomes pretty clear.
As I said earlier there is not an easy solution to this. But believe me there are many many good young people who, despite many obstacles, are trying to make something positive of their lives.
You make good points and offer a real and alternative perspective.
The second to last paragraph though I don’t understand. How are those the only two options of an evening? Are you (or he rather) implying that to just be outside the house would result in you being forced into being part of a gang?
He could not go and play football or any other sport, or just hang out with like-minded friends, or go to a club etc, or round a friends house and play on a computer, without being peer pressured into joining a gang??
I grew up in South east London and went to school in New Cross. I still live in the same area and have two boys who are 12 and 15 who go to the local secondary school.
I am a deputy headteacher in a south east London secondary school which has students across the demographic.
I made a conscious decision that I would work in such a school and bring my children up in London.
I do not regret it one bit.
The black children I teach are subjected to stop and search on a regular basis. It is now part of their journey home. I do not not know of one child who had been found with anything illegal on them. Is this a racist approach? Course it is as it is based on their colour. The vast majority of these are good kids, very good kids. They want to do well in school and aspire to better themselves. Forget the notion that there is an anti boffin or anti geek culture in schools. There isn’t. They want to be in the top sets. They know the benefit of being hard working. These kids are in school on Saturdays and during holidays. For many education is seen as vital if they are to not replicate the lives of their parents.
I have no real solution to the current issues. It is far too complicated for there to be one solution. I am sure, however, that if many of the out of school evening opportunities that used to be provided had not seen huge funding reductions, more children would be engaged in activities that stimulated them and give them further opportunities to learn and pursue new interests.
This is now why schools like mine are open from 7am to 7pm. We provide revision areas, breakfast, basketball, boxing and fitness classes. We provide a safe and quiet place to study.
This costs us a lot of money but is so vital. The uptake for it is phenomenal.
My eldest son has a number of black friends who he socialises with. They are good lads and come from a range of different households. They are polite but of course have a cheekiness that most 15 year old boys have.
Only last week they all went to Sports Direct to buy swimming shorts. They were refused entry. They didn’t argue or make a scene. They are used to it. My son sees this and knows if he was with an all white group of friends he could go pretty much anywhere without fear of refused entry to a sports shop!
I think this gives my son a sense of how the world works. He sees injustice and I know it makes him a more rounded young man. He challenges prejudice and sees its effects.
Once a boy in my school told me he has two options in the evening. Either stay at home ( a one bedroom flat where he shares a bedroom with two brothers) or join a gang. Eventually the better option for him becomes pretty clear.
As I said earlier there is not an easy solution to this. But believe me there are many many good young people who, despite many obstacles, are trying to make something positive of their lives.
You make good points and offer a real and alternative perspective.
The second to last paragraph though I don’t understand. How are those the only two options of an evening? Are you (or he rather) implying that to just be outside the house would result in you being forced into being part of a gang?
He could not go and play football or any other sport, or just hang out with like-minded friends, or go to a club etc, or round a friends house and play on a computer, without being peer pressured into joining a gang??
Genuinely interested in the rationale.
The estate he lives is ruled by one of the most prevalent gangs in the area. They recruit from that estate and prey on kids who are vulnerable. Pretty much the moment you leave the flat you are approached. Therefore stay in and do not much or venture out knowing you’ll be targeted.
So he can go to play football or to his mate’s but on his return on the evening he is susceptible. Plus the tactics they use to entice youngsters are tempting to a kid who has nothing. They make you feel part of a ‘family’ that is more supportive than the one you live with.
In my more formative years, I was involved in a little bit of skulduggery here and there, which culminated in meself and a friend being ambushed by the police and arrested at gun point for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, I was about 19 at the time and he was a couple of years older. My friend had got hold of a deactivated handgun and told everyone and anyone who'd listen that it was the real deal and in working order. Over time this had obviously got through to the police, which in turn led to them performing a "sting" on us down at Asdas, Charlton. Even though I had warned him about having it while he was out with me, it was found tucked down the side of his drivers seat and for a few hours, we were both accused of being there to rob the supermarket. Luckily, he admitted to having the gun and that I had no knowledge of him having it and after them turning his gaff over, we were both let go with no further charges and a slap on the wrist.
This one instance, in both of our lives I'd say, meant that we'd never do anything like it again and except for a few minor brushes with the law, we have both kept on the straight and narrow ever since. I think the reason for this is because of the respect we had and have for the law and the police in general and because I was brought up knowing that actions have consequence.
Since then, I have been either stopped in the street or pulled over in a car, probably 15 times (20 if you wanna include living in France) as a white male and certainly while I have been with black and Asian pals on more than one of these occasions. During these times, I have found that the more cooperative we were, the better it was, whether we had something to hide or not. These day, specially as most ob have those body worn cameras and dash cameras, I can't see why they can't stop anyone at will and just ask a few civil questions, to get a few civil answers, while checking pockets etc..
Football fans are subject to such checks, while being filmed, so why can't that be done on the streets, more regularly than it is now?
Kicking off again now, we about an hour ago, Kennington/Camberwell way, Brixton road. One lad shot, old bill saved his life, one lad with a bullet prove vest tazered and arrested. Others got away. Helicopters out.
Comments
Would the terror attack victims be included in the 2005 numbers do you know?
But that only tells part of the story. Would be interesting to see a similar chart for reported (non death) knife attacks.
Runs for cover........
TBH I don't recognise the London I live in from some of the posts above. I worry about my kids going places, but they are both sensible and know to avoid trouble. They both get a lot out of living in London that just wouldn't happen in the suburbs or a country town.
To solve the problem? We need to decriminalise drugs. End prohibition. Of course the gangs will move onto something else, but it won't be anywhere as lucrative.
Use the revenue raised from drugs taxes to fund youth services and things to divert teenager's energies.
is institutionally racist?
Coppers I know were all brought up in very diverse areas and don't, as far as I know, have a racist bone in their body. On the contrary, they just want to help everyone irrespective of colour or creed.
More prisons and instant 5 year sentencing for possession of a weapon are not the answer. We're not America ffs
The single parent line - does my head in, I was brought up by a single parent done me no harm.
People can change if they want to change.
Gangs are a problem across the UK - there seem to be a lot of people on here who know the solution.
The question I was asking rananegra is why does he still consider the police force institutionally racist TODAY when clearly it has undergone huge changes in recent years?
Gangs have always been a fact of life in London and need to be dealt with. Nobody as yet in London has really had a coordinated approach to recent problems. It can't simply be about punishment if there's no attempt to address why these gangs exist - you need a clever approach with good intelligence and we don't have that. Too many simple solutions offered.
I am a deputy headteacher in a south east London secondary school which has students across the demographic.
I made a conscious decision that I would work in such a school and bring my children up in London.
I do not regret it one bit.
The black children I teach are subjected to stop and search on a regular basis. It is now part of their journey home. I do not not know of one child who had been found with anything illegal on them. Is this a racist approach? Course it is as it is based on their colour. The vast majority of these are good kids, very good kids. They want to do well in school and aspire to better themselves. Forget the notion that there is an anti boffin or anti geek culture in schools. There isn’t. They want to be in the top sets. They know the benefit of being hard working. These kids are in school on Saturdays and during holidays. For many education is seen as vital if they are to not replicate the lives of their parents.
I have no real solution to the current issues. It is far too complicated for there to be one solution. I am sure, however, that if many of the out of school evening opportunities that used to be provided had not seen huge funding reductions, more children would be engaged in activities that stimulated them and give them further opportunities to learn and pursue new interests.
This is now why schools like mine are open from 7am to 7pm. We provide revision areas, breakfast, basketball, boxing and fitness classes. We provide a safe and quiet place to study.
This costs us a lot of money but is so vital. The uptake for it is phenomenal.
My eldest son has a number of black friends who he socialises with. They are good lads and come from a range of different households. They are polite but of course have a cheekiness that most 15 year old boys have.
Only last week they all went to Sports Direct to buy swimming shorts. They were refused entry. They didn’t argue or make a scene. They are used to it. My son sees this and knows if he was with an all white group of friends he could go pretty much anywhere without fear of refused entry to a sports shop!
I think this gives my son a sense of how the world works. He sees injustice and I know it makes him a more rounded young man. He challenges prejudice and sees its effects.
Once a boy in my school told me he has two options in the evening. Either stay at home ( a one bedroom flat where he shares a bedroom with two brothers) or join a gang. Eventually the better option for him becomes pretty clear.
As I said earlier there is not an easy solution to this. But believe me there are many many good young people who, despite many obstacles, are trying to make something positive of their lives.
A very heartening post and I'm sure it represents how the vast majority of young kids, both black and white, actually approach life in this wonderful metropolis of ours.
The second to last paragraph though I don’t understand. How are those the only two options of an evening? Are you (or he rather) implying that to just be outside the house would result in you being forced into being part of a gang?
He could not go and play football or any other sport, or just hang out with like-minded friends, or go to a club etc, or round a friends house and play on a computer, without being peer pressured into joining a gang??
Genuinely interested in the rationale.
So he can go to play football or to his mate’s but on his return on the evening he is susceptible. Plus the tactics they use to entice youngsters are tempting to a kid who has nothing. They make you feel part of a ‘family’ that is more supportive than the one you live with.
This one instance, in both of our lives I'd say, meant that we'd never do anything like it again and except for a few minor brushes with the law, we have both kept on the straight and narrow ever since. I think the reason for this is because of the respect we had and have for the law and the police in general and because I was brought up knowing that actions have consequence.
Since then, I have been either stopped in the street or pulled over in a car, probably 15 times (20 if you wanna include living in France) as a white male and certainly while I have been with black and Asian pals on more than one of these occasions. During these times, I have found that the more cooperative we were, the better it was, whether we had something to hide or not. These day, specially as most ob have those body worn cameras and dash cameras, I can't see why they can't stop anyone at will and just ask a few civil questions, to get a few civil answers, while checking pockets etc..
Football fans are subject to such checks, while being filmed, so why can't that be done on the streets, more regularly than it is now?
The fact that the police are doing it in the end it will disrupt and stop people bringing out knives and weapons
And that will make the good kids safer and live longer
And that’s a compromise I think is worth while