Should we help in stopping criminals

[greenheadvoter]

Yesterday I witnessed a member of the public help the police stop a suspected criminal from fleeing. As the incident happened it looked like a very heroic & logical thing that the member of the public did as the criminal ran into his path. It wasn't until after the incident & the suspect was searched and a knife found that the reality of the situation sunk in that the citizen involved could have been stabbed and killed. Should we as citizens help or should we just stand back?

[MrAngry]

Unfortunately in the main I dont believe that many would help due to the proliferation of guns and knives used by these yobs. I would like to think that I would help but am honestly not sure as another problem is that a lot of these criminals/yobs usually carry out their activities with others as they are too cowardly to go it alone. Another big problem is the so called justice system which more often than not treats the criminal/yob better than the good guy.

My condolences go out to the family of the Cowcliffe shopkeeper who was killed by Yobs/Scum/Criminals on Saturday and well done to the people who tried to catch them. Lets hope when they are caught the book is thrown at them for a change.

[Otis]

"Lets hope when they are caught the book is thrown at them for a change." Have you thought of changing your name to Mr Hopeful?

Like many others I hope I would step in and help the Police in these circumstances, but as soon as they had nabbed him I'd do a runner. I certainly wouldn't want to waste my time for the next few months in making statements and turning up in Court to give evidence only to see the culprit given a cuddle by some empty headed bewigged buffoon who would be better employed as a social worker. He/She cannot punish him because the forces of Law and Order in this country are an empty threat.

I feel sorry for the Police, well the ones without pips and brocade all over their uniforms. They put their lives on the line day in and day out to try to protect us and then when they get to court see their efforts ignored and the public's dream of Justice crumble to dust.

Like I said, help the Guardian but don't get involved with the back up team they're not worth the effort.

[idlejohn]

It would appear that several people tried to stop the four scumbags that murdered Mr Singh at Cowcliffe Convenience Store but they got away after a struggle but as it would seem that Mr Singh was shot it is little wonder they escaped.

Lets just hope that they are all caught very soon and then lets see what the tariff for murder is in Huddersfield.

[markmyword49]

lets see what the tariff for murder is in Huddersfield

In England and Wales for a person found guilty of murder the sentence is life imprisonment. The judge can impose a minimum sentence that must be served but after that it's up to the various revue bodies to decide if the murderer should be paroled on licence. That licence can be revoked at any time for the rest of the murderers life.

I dont believe that many would help due to the proliferation of guns and knives

I think it has rather more to do with how the human mind is "wired". The old "flight or fight" argument. A minority will go to someones aid regardless of the danger to themselves. However, the majority would either stand on the sidelines observing or move away from the scene as quickly as possible. Until the individual is confronted with the circumstances I don't believe any of us can say for certain what action we would take.

[hartley1950]

Yesterday I witnessed a member of the public help the police stop a suspected criminal from fleeing. As the incident happened it looked like a very heroic & logical thing that the member of the public did as the criminal ran into his path. It wasn't until after the incident & the suspect was searched and a knife found that the reality of the situation sunk in that the citizen involved could have been stabbed and killed. Should we as citizens help or should we just stand back?

DID YOU MANAGE TO FIND OUT THE NAME OF THIS HEROIC CHAP ??????????

[greenheadvoter]

DID YOU MANAGE TO FIND OUT THE NAME OF THIS HEROIC CHAP ??????????

Yes it was someone who seems to get a lot of criticism on this forum, especially from the McGuin duo.

[DiRTYToRque]

Cllr Ken Smith or the rt hon Barry Sheerman to hazard a guess

[Bailey]

Dirtytorque you dont have a brother called dirtyrogue do you, because the hapless duo have been accusing me of being in collusion with this dirtyroque but ive no idea who he is.

I think it could be Barry Sheerman Greenhead voter is refering to.

[Scapegoathillbilly]

Criminals rely on the fact that hardly anyone will take any action against them. I say 'Bravo!' to the few that have a go.
Generally speaking you need to be either bigger or more numerous if you want to interfere. However, you may not need to make a citizen's arrest if you can just make contact and get a bit of hair or skin under your finger nails the perpetrator will probably be picked up via the DNA register.
The important thing is not to ***** foot around. If you are going to do anything at all do it as hard as you possibly can and make a lot of noise.

[despondent]

the perpetrator will probably be picked up via the DNA register.
.

Didn't the interfering 'do gooders' get a time limit imposed on the keeping of such records when they went wimpering to the European Courts ?

[markmyword49]

Didn't the interfering 'do gooders'

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

People in this country fought and died for the principal of "innocent until proven guilty" and other measures that curtailed the powers of the crown and state to interfere with the liberties of its subjects. DNA taken from people never found guilty of a crime should not be held on a database.

Maybe all the anger should be aimed at this government who now admit that they haven't got the DNA of all those convicted of crimes on the DNA database (The Politics Show Feb 21st). Perhaps they should start with the guilty before they start with the innocent

[StephB]

Mark, I agree with your concluding paragraph, :- "..Maybe all the anger should be aimed at this government who now admit that they haven't got the DNA of all those convicted of crimes on the DNA database (The Politics Show Feb 21st). Perhaps they should start with the guilty before they start with the innocent.."
OK, so make a substantial start with all those who have been already convicted, but no-one else on the database IS judged guilty not already having been found so before a Court; and the innocent is even more likely to be easily proved to be so, and the more quickly, if on the database! Like fingerprints, the existence of their presence on a database should be of no concern whatever, to an innocent man who intends to remain law abiding IMHO.
During WW2 we all had to carry an identity card, and could be asked for it by 'any person in lawful authority'. As it happens, just such a card would be pretty well useless today, being I would imagine a 'cinch' to anyone wishing to counterfeit one. But using today's technology, facial and other physical details, finger-prints and DNA, could all be incorporated and, more importantly, easily read and corroborated.
Please tell me why [except on grounds of affordability!] this should be objectionable to any law-abiding citizen? [And who gives a Castlemain's about the others' opinions?]
I don't wish to become a victim inside or out of my home, and would far rather that a would-be perpetrator were stopped before he could commit a crime - to the extent that I would have a clear conscience about being 'stopped' myself, having nothing to hide, and put up with the inconvenience, for the assurance it would lend me that crime was being made more difficult as a result!.
Finally Mark, "..Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.." And whether you were guilty or innocent, I'd far sooner they were easily able to prove it...

[DiRTYToRque]

Dirtytorque you dont have a brother called dirtyrogue do you, because the hapless duo have been accusing me of being in collusion with this dirtyroque but ive no idea who he is.

dirtyroque must be a figment of their dirty minds.

as for being in collusion what makes them think of that

[greenheadvoter]

Cllr Ken Smith or the rt hon Barry Sheerman to hazard a guess

Not quite right but nearly there, it is the Mcguins arch enemy.