Sometimes you despair for this country

[VHG]

This is in the news at the moment. A youngish couple minding their own business get set upon by a gang and the guy is kicked to death.

http://tinyurl.com/yzph85q

What sort of country are we becoming?

Is it becoming unsafe for ordinairy people to walk the streets (although I admit this was at 3am - but that does not excuse it).

I watched "life" on BBC1 last night - and the beautiful scene of two sea horses doing a mating ritual - it was so lovely.

Then you read about these scum and you wonder why we say people like those behave like animals.

[VHG]

Here is the Life episode on iPlayer.

The lovely scene is 9 minutes in

http://tinyurl.com/ycpnn4s

[another-view]

This is indeed a sad story but if someone is going to walk through town dressed up as a witch at 3:30 in the morning past a large group who have probably just rolled out from the nightclub, then they aren't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.

[VHG]

>at 3:30 in the morning past a large group who have probably just rolled out from the nightclub, then they aren't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Oh so it was THEIR fault, I did not realise.

[another-view]

No it wasn't but people must surely take some responsibility and common sense for their own safety.

[vulcan]

another-view, what are you saying,if I walk past a drunken group early in the morning I can reasonably expect death ?

[another-view]

If you are wearing something stupid then you can certainly expect a reaction from them. If you then rile them up by antagonising them, then you may well get injured.
Common sense would say to get a taxi back or at least remove the hat before approaching.

[TTG]

When I used to go into town and walk back on my own (don't do it now), there were certainly occasions when there were a lot of drunks were wandering about. The best thing is to ignore people and don't even look at them. Anything can start them off.

This is tragic, I do hope the guilty party get a long sentence and not 5-10 years.

[jake-the-peg]

And when exactly was this golden age when people could wander though the dimly lit back streets of our cities in the dead of night in total confidence of their safety?

It is appalling - it is not new

[another-view]

Exactly, people MUST use common sense, otherwise sad events like this will happen.

[ludwig]

Only a halfwit would choose to be an apologist for such murderous thuggish behaviour another-view.
How was he supposed to have antagonised them?, by headbutting their fists before lying on the ground and headbutting their feet? Yes, very provocative. He clearly deserved to die.

[anotheoldgit]

I bet Blackpool gets a little dangerous nowadays, what with the number of Bars and "Kiss me Quick" hats.

No this sad affair is no joking matter, but it only goes to highlight to what depths this country has sunk, and make no mistake it is getting worse each day passing.

But there are still some on this site who would wish to convince us, that this country is no more dangerous or violent than it was in the 50s.

[another-view]

I am certainly not apologising for them but gone are the days when you can leave your back door open and everyone knew everyone else. The times they are a changin'

[another-view]

Let me correct you.
The couple are guilty of not using common sense

[another-view]

If you are wearing something stupid then this is all that is needed to provoke a reaction. The girl was wearing a witch's hat! Anyone who was dressed normally and walked confidently past should have little to fear, although sense would advise you to cross the road before you got up to them.

[Hazel104]

I can not accept that Another View.
People should be able to walk home at any time of day dressed however they wish WITHOUT the threat of being kicked to death.
Are you suggesting that we should all moderate our behaviour so we do not antagonise scum risking attack and if we do not then more fool us? I refuse to live as such.
You are apologising for the scum involved as you are blaming an innocent couple who dared to be getting home from a night out rather than the actual criminals.

[Sqad]

jake....this is purely anecdotal I appreciate, but I could walk through the streets of Peterborough way after midnight in the 60's and feel quite safe.

I could also get back late any night of the week and walk from Cambridge Heath station to Whitechapel without feeling scared and that was in the time of the Kray Twins.

No violence is not new, but what is new is the increase in numbers and severity of crimes.

Please don't give us that link again showing crime figures from 1995.

[Quinlad]

Why is a witch's hat worn on Halloween antagonistic?

If it was the shirt of a rival football club or something, I could sort of see the point. Who would expect to be attacked for fancy dress?