It's getting worse

[Midwest]

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I don't disagree with you, that people can jump to conclusions and some people treat every shocking incident likes these as some sort of terrorist incident, instead of just one lone wolf with a disturbed mind. But then that's just normal fear, and why terrorists act in the way they do.

And I disagree with the routine arming of all police officers. But we should continuing arming specialist firearms officers and consider altering our tatics to suit the threat.

An H&P MP5, as used by some UK forces, has a cyclic rate of about 650 per m, fully automatic. Most UK police are only allowed by the HO to use semi-automatic, i.e. pull the trigger to fire a round. The 2003 security incident, was from intelligence of a threat of terrorist action, to down a civilian airliner with a surface to air missile, an attempt was made at Baghdad airport that year.

UK police, like most European police forces, have tactics in place to deal with active shooters, as can be seen by the recent incidents in France. Whilst the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes was abysmal, I think our security forces should congratulated, thusfar, of foiling similar terrorist incidents.

 

[sean_ork]

I think our security forces should congratulated, thusfar, of foiling similar terrorist incidents.

Yes we keep hearing about the threats that have been foiled, finally the media facing folks have talked to each other and appeared to have aggread a number, it was 7 yesterday - 3 weeks ago folks were giving media briefings quoting figures ranging from 3 to 35 attacks foiled - at least they are all now singing off the same sheet

Personally I beleive they invent these numbers to suit their own motives.

 

[telectrix]

regarding arming police. some police officers can't be trusted with a catapult, but highly trained armed response units are essential and, if necessary, the numbers should be increased to cope with the threats of today. care must be taken not to use a tony blair knee-jerk reaction though. a balance between dealing with terrorist threats and possible innocents being shot by police accidentally needs to be achieved.

 

[YoungScud]

I don't disagree with you, that people can jump to conclusions and some people treat every shocking incident likes these as some sort of terrorist incident, instead of just one lone wolf with a disturbed mind. But then that's just normal fear, and why terrorists act in the way they do.

And I disagree with the routine arming of all police officers. But we should continuing arming specialist firearms officers and consider altering our tatics to suit the threat.

An H&P MP5, as used by some UK forces, has a cyclic rate of about 650 per m, fully automatic. Most UK police are only allowed by the HO to use semi-automatic, i.e. pull the trigger to fire a round. The 2003 security incident, was from intelligence of a threat of terrorist action, to down a civilian airliner with a surface to air missile, an attempt was made at Baghdad airport that year.

UK police, like most European police forces, have tactics in place to deal with active shooters, as can be seen by the recent incidents in France. Whilst the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes was abysmal, I think our security forces should congratulated, thusfar, of foiling similar terrorist incidents.

There's a great deal of sense in what you say. I bow to your expertise on the MP5. I'd never had the semi-auto only option explained to me. However, I can only repeat the question as to what the tanks were actually intended to do, given that they were actually on the road outside one of the terminals. The likelihood of a terrorist firing a shoulder held weapon at an aeroplane from that position unchallenged would seem pretty slim.

As for de Menezes, the catalogue of errors leading to his death appalled me almost as much as a coroner instructing a jury that they may not return a verdict of unlawful death. Furnished with the facts of the case, surely that should have been their remit. That aside, it's worth considering that a man suspected of being an Arab terrorist, armed with a rucksack bomb, was allowed to get on two different buses and finally enter a Tube train before being wrestled to the ground and effectively assassinated. That did nothing to make me feel any easier about my own personal security.

 

[Midwest]

There's a great deal of sense in what you say. I bow to your expertise on the MP5. I'd never had the semi-auto only option explained to me. However, I can only repeat the question as to what the tanks were actually intended to do, given that they were actually on the road outside one of the terminals. The likelihood of a terrorist firing a shoulder held weapon at an aeroplane from that position unchallenged would seem pretty slim.

As for de Menezes, the catalogue of errors leading to his death appalled me almost as much as a coroner instructing a jury that they may not return a verdict of unlawful death. Furnished with the facts of the case, surely that should have been their remit. That aside, it's worth considering that a man suspected of being an Arab terrorist, armed with a rucksack bomb, was allowed to get on two different buses and finally enter a Tube train before being wrestled to the ground and effectively assassinated. That did nothing to make me feel any easier about my own personal security.

Tanks, nope nor do I. Surface to air missiles, tend to work like that. But you don't take a knife to a gun fight. I think even the 'tanks' deployed, would of been useless against anti-tank missiles.

Mr Menezes tragic death, took place 2 weeks after the 7/7 bombings, when 52 people were murdered, and the police got it wrong, very wrong. But this is real life, it's not a Hollywood movie and the police are human and make mistakes. Sadly, someone lost their life because of that.

 

[plugsandsparks]

The UK is just waking up to mass killings on the streets. Other countries are not so shy about police having guns. I give you the Carabineiri. Met them as a child in Naples, very impressive. Got pulled for a minor traffic violation in Spain and the Police guy had his hand on his gun as I approached him, bit of a shock to them Brits.. Often see armed Police at airports.

I actually feel reassured by armed Police and would be happy to have one stand next to me when I am next in a bar in Paris.

Sadly its all too political, I know I am a target for Dash and if they find me I would hope there is a gun nearby, preferably with a Policeman on the end of it to save me having my head cut off.... but of course I am a simple soul

 

[Guest77]

So Russia has fired warning shots at a Turkish war ship now in the agean sea, well well, I hope it calms down, this could otherwise be the start of a very serious situation.