Yobs on our streets

[anotheoldgit]

Research by The Institute of Public Policy Research shows that 65% of Germans, 52% of Spanish and 50% of Italians would be willing to intervene if they saw a group of 14 year old boys vandalising a bus shelter. This compares with just 34% of British, who would be willing to intervene.
Does this show that: -
(a) We are a nation of cowards?
(b) We are too apathetic, and would look the other way?
(c) We are scared that we could be arrested, if we happened to harm the offenders in any way?
(d) The yobs have taken over the streets, and there is little we can now do?

[dummkopf]

I think the fear nowadays is knives, too many yobs carry them and people will stop and think before they intervene.

[Le Chat]

My reason for not doing so would be C. Although, as I have never been in this position, I don't know what I would actually do. I would also probably be a little afraid of being assulted.

[LeMarchand]

I would have thought that a lot of people, myself included, would go for:

(e) Would like to intervene but feel that they would be quite likely to end up with a vandalised head.

[China Doll]

I'd go b and the possibility of getting my head kicked in I'm afraid.... tho I probably would call the police if I saw it... in fact, I have in a similar situation.

[Llamatron]

If you intervene you then become a target as well.

My dad had a go at some scumbag kids once. We got a brick though our window for his trouble.
We knew who it was but the Police could do nothing.
The scumbag parents even claimed their little treasure was at home at the time.
From what I understand most times the Police don't even bother trying.

So why on earth should we risk our safety when the organisation that's there to protect us in the aftermath of our good samaritan deed can't and wont.

Hell, you might even get locked up yourself.

I despair I really do.

[Big Al1st]

I think that getting hammered is a good answer. I used to be able to look after myself on a one to one ( or maybe two on one ) but at 68 with a heart condition no way.
Also in my day if you had a run in with some one it was all over the next day. Today they will continue to gang up on you until they beat you by weight of numbers.
Drink, drugs and parents that dont care are mainly the problem.

I wonder how many parents reading this can honestly say that they know what the 13/14 year olds are upto at 2300 at night.
I am thinking, seriously, around here to form a kick the a**** neighbourhood watch scheme, and take my chances with the police. By the time the police got hold of me there wont be any cells left to put me in

Now I stand back and wait for the do-gooders Rgds Al

[jaberwocky]

knew someone who once got the birch on isle of man.he said he'd never step out of line again.what does that tell you.there is simply no reasonable deterrent and too many people bleating about human rights.victims human rights dont come into it as a news story tonight showed all too clearly.old lady being hassled by a yob gave him a thump and SHE was locked up.beggars belief dont you think.i say birch the b******s.

[curiosity]

Big Al Mine (14 & 15 yearolds) are in bed on a school night or on holidays are either in bed on computer or watching TV at ours or a mates house with equally responsible parents. That's why the so called "do-gooders" defend these young people, it's because somewhere they learn this behaviour, and in fact (not being a do-gooder 100% myself) It's actually a resilience and fighting mechanism that some have to survive without guidance. Give me a child until he is seven and I'll give you the man. (Xavier)

[Oneeyedvic]

I used to stand up, but since an ex colleague of mine shouted at two kids vandalising cars and woke up 2 days later in hospital with slight brain damage and has been off work for around 6 months now, i certainly won't be in the future.

Guess this makes me a coward.

[Big Al1st]

Hi Curiousity, Appreciate what you said.
A friend of mine has a fifteen year old. He comes from a very good background but he has been permanently excluded from scchool and now goes to a special school. He treated the exclusion as a badge of honour. Problem is he is spoilt and his mother will have nothing said about him.
He and a group just go around drinking, smoking and vandalising everything they can, The police dont do anything, the parents neither and the schools just give up because upto a point they are powerless.
You have heard it before but when I was young I used to get a clip around the year by the local cop, marched home and got another one from my mother.
Agreed that there are alot of good kids out there but the bad ones are getting worse and increasing in numbers.
As I said earlier, I would'nt tackle them because of what they might do to the house, car and me.
I live in a "quiet" town, so what it is like on the big estates I hate to think. Take care Al

[NJOK]

This should read:

Research by The Institute of Public Policy Research shows that 65% of Germans, 52% of Spanish and 50% of Italians SAY THAT THEY would be willing to intervene.

Maybe we're just more honest?

[bustergutt]

I know someone who had been attacked by thugs, he fought them off and told the Police, HE was told not to press charges as the thugs may counter-charge HIM for assault.
Also someone who cannot protect his own garden from thieves, by using anti-vandal wire inside his own fence the thief may get cut and sue.
In my opinion this is why we won`t intervene, the law is all in favour of the offender.
The present law`s are making us all apathetic cowards.