Good idea or not?

[anotheoldgit]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Polic e-Bobbies-On-The-Beat-To-Go-Solo-Met-Chief-Ste phenson-Wants-Officers-To-Walk-Alone/Article/2 00903315242920?lpos=UK_News_Second_Home_Page_A rticle_Teaser_Region_5&lid=ARTICLE_15242920_Po lice_Bobbies_On_The_Beat_To_Go_Solo%3A_Met_Chi ef_Stephenson_Wants_Officers_To_Walk_Alone

The chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation Peter Smyth said "I think our members will be a bit concerned about the safety aspect of it. Quite clearly they feel safer in pairs, particularly on night duty and in particular areas."

The idea of an officer patrolling alone on foot was "sort of a Dixon of Dock Green image and I'm not sure it ever really existed", said Mr Smyth.

Of course they did, in the 30s, 40s & 50s they not only patrolled alone, but they also went up every back alley to check that every back gate was locked and up the high-street to check that all shop doors where locked.

And wasn't it always a lone policeman who discovered some of Jack the Ripper's victims in the 1890s?

[R1Geezer]

well I guess it'll make it easier for the criminal lowlife to attack them, good thinking! WTF is occuring how can someone with no more sense than he's born with rise to run the met! Talk about hell in a handcart!

[Gormless]

No it's wrong, and dreaming of a world that has passed.

To ask a policeman to wander around West Croydon, Brixton etc, at 2am, alone, is plain irresponsible unless he (or she of course) is armed. I wouldn't do it, and neither should he/she. Pairs is much safer. I would feel equally comfortable approaching two policemen as one.

I expect there is some potential money-saving going on here.

Personally, I wouldn't police areas like West Croydon, Brixton, at night. Fence them off, let them get on with their local tribal slaughter, then hose down the streets in the morning.

[rov1200]

How many police officers are attacked now walking the beat? Very few I would suggest especially if not covering football matches, demonstrations and at night. If alone they could be equipped with a panic button to summon others in an emergency as the mobile phone they carry will not act quickly enough. Certain areas in the UK are crying out for such a deployment.