I have never been mugged in my life, but I'm aware of students who have been mugged shortly after arriving here. The point being that muggers often target people who look vulnerable, and the reality is that this is often foreigners or tourists..I dare bet that many people visiting Chicago have also been the victim of mugging..
It really isn't as bad as you think mate. Yes, going into certain places could put you at risk, but for the most part this country is safer than most other countries. Like most places around the world. The press hype up crime to the point people can be scared to cross the threshold. But there's a reason police aren't armed in Britain. Because for the most part, they don't need to be.
With respect mate, Comm's not talking about legalising fire arms. He's talking about arming police and there's absolutely no reason to suggest we'd employ the same rules of engagement as the USA.
Well i certainly dont want guns legalised for the general population. Just the police. Theres enough illegal guns kicking around.
Yes - but to kids brought up doing what they like from 2 years-old, anyone over the age of 40 does look vulnerable. Where are these "certain places [which] could put me at risk" - my own house? Let me tell you something from first-hand experience. In 2009, a young man (in his late-teens) decided to abuse my property. He knew "some silly old bugger" lived there, so that would be all right, wouldn't it? Sadly, he hadn't the brains to pick the right "silly old bugger". He wasn't even charged for instigating the whole incident. I, in my late sixties at the time, ended up with a suspended prison sentence for 'addressing the matter' (and that, only because of my previous good behaviour! The charge I faced was Section 18. i.e. one grade lower than murder. Let me put it this way - I'd agree to more guns on the streets of Britain (in any hands) only after we'd adopted US law - i.e. death row. It really isn't as bad as I think mate? - No, it's as bad as I know.
That's awful want you went through mate, especially so in your own home. Sounds like you handled the matter brilliantly. And the law truly is an ass for the way you were subsequently treated. But I like to believe that cases like yours are for the most part, the exception to the rule. I'm sorry to hear about what you went through though mate.
You must have done some damage to him, Relic! Section 18, that's what comes just before manslaughter. I've seen lads put away for years under that charge. I'm assuming you twatted him with something heavy? Mind you, if I caught somebody in my house, I'd be looking at a murder charge. No doubt about that one.
Ive been burgulared twice. Both times in sunderland. Its a horrible feeling. Both times i was out. Id hate to think what could happen otherwise. Guess id be like 83.
Safc83 : No, it wasn't very heavy. It was relatively small, beautifully balanced, very fast and very sharp. As you say, it did a little "damage". Blunham. Don't feel sorry mate - I'm not. The smart-ass earned it. It's not, I think, that the law is an ass - I had to be punished, fair does. What I do object to is the fact that, to all intents and purposes, today, there is one law for the under-25s and an entirely separate law for the over-25s. That's not law at all - it's do-goodie trash. I do believe we need a serious re-think in this country. I agree that this case is the exception, but that needs to be evenly spread. If you look at the population of the U.S. (or perhaps any country) it's the exception there, too. Commachio. You're perfectly right to have a good giggle mate. Of all the silly old buggers he could have picked ...
Don't need to look at the yanks, only need to look at the state of our own police and it's struggles(always comes down to money) To see it isn't even viable, imo anyway. I remember after the London bombings getting off the train at Manchester Piccadilly to see armed police everywhere, so it's there if needed, just no call in most part. An armed policeman wouldn't have save that MP, he could have shot dead and given the shooter an easy way out though. Dogs are the future of policing. Train more of them, they smell everything and everyone is scared of the ****ers. Give policemen a dog not a gun imo.
