Are You Reassured

[nailit]

By having armed police on the streets?
Nipped up town today and there was a police car parked up outside the shopping centre with 2 armed police.
Seemed a bit pointless to me. Anyone that wished to blow up a shopping centre isn't going to make it obvious that they have a bomb strapped to them. A copper or two with guns outside isn't going to prevent a suicide bomber from exploding himself inside.

[scooping]

As for the poor little babies who feel 'unnerved' you'd be a lot more unnerved if a bomb went off.

[nailit]

Scoping
//Sorry if you find armed police outside shopping centres 'pointless'. Maybe the police have good reason to be there.//
None that I know off..

[tonyav]

I haven't seen any only on tv. Am I reassured, no I'm not.

[pixie374]

If I went to the town and found a lot of armed police there, I would be more likely to go home than feel safe. It suggests they're expecting something.

[tamborine]

DTC my killer cockerel will bring any man down

[nailit]

Scooping,
I take it that you don't leave your house then? Just in case you know?

[gness]

Hi, Nailt.....I've spent this evening wandering around a city centre where a huge music fesival is taking place....

This year the police presence is greater and there are armed soldiers everywhere......just standing and watching.....and they are trained to observe....

It makes me feel a little safer....more so than if they weren't obvious.......I would rather see none.....but those days have gone.....x

[mazie]

I'm just hoping we don't have all this military and police presence at The Edinburgh Festival this year. How they would do that seems impossible to me, it's so spread out and heaving with people. Sure we will though :o(

[237SJ]

There were shedloads of armed police at Liverpool St Station yesterday - the tourists were taking photos of them. I'm used to seeing armed police patroling the place anyway (airport) but in train stations etc then yes, I do feel a little more reassured because they are more likely to spot suspicious behavour than the man/woman in the street.

[youngmafbog]

Armed Police or Army are not the answer to the problem, more closing the stable door after the horse.

Right-on liberalism, as introduced by His Tonyness and Bottler need to be addressed, nd the root problem tackled but not in a knee jerk reaction.

However with todays politicians this is not likely to happen.

[gness]

You may well do, Mazie......and yes, it's a great shame but we have to accept it now.......if these events went ahead with no protection or at least an obvious presence and something happened questions would be asked....

Some of the soldiers today interacted with the crowds......they were polite, charming and funny at times....but if you sat back quietly and watched them.....watched their behaviour.....you could tell they were doing a job......x

[mazie]

The Festival extends across the whole city gness and the tourist levels are amazing. Just walking on the pavements is like being part of a giant caterpillar. God knows how it's going to work. You having a good time at the Jazz festival? xxx

[gness]

Lovely time thanks, Mazie.......not much jazz so far....well I have avoided it...not to my taste....but all types of music in the open air and bars so plenty to chose from...lovely weather and friendly crowds....x

[trt]

## I would rather there were undercover police doing a slightly different task ##

A bit too late for that I'm afraid, should have had them at borders years ago!

[jourdain2]

Light answer is 'Can we have cardboard cut-outs of you, gness, to be placed all around the country?' That should sort it.

I haven't seen any armed police yet, but took MrJ2 to York hospital today for a follow up for his cancer op.. We ate in the 'canteen' (nice) but I found myself thinking that it

[gness]

And the light answer, J....as many as you like if we thought it would sort it......

I must admit seeing so many guns today is saddening.... Even the police station is guarded by police with guns...x

[anneasquith]

Not really. I do wonder what young children think though.

[mazie]

Maybe it's some thing they have to get used to Anne, which is such a shame x