In a message dated 2/3/00 9:37:55 AM Pacific Standard Time,
Paul-Richardson@cyberware.co.uk writes:
<< If any of our police come across a situation whereby armed criminals are
afoot when they are on general patrol, a phone call to base is needed to
call for armed assistance. Our 'coppers,' blest their hearts, patrol with a
truncheon and a pair of handcuffs. We do have special armed response police
or 'SWAT' teams.
>>
When arriving in London in June 1994, the front page news was that the
British police started carrying firearms as of today. The next day, the
front page news showed a crook laying in a pool of blood in the street with a
revolver beside him. Maybe the swat teem disposed of the creep.
I had always been brainwashed into believing that there were no guns in
England except in the military. While traveling north on a tour bus towards
Scotland, I noticed a farmer carrying a shot gun through his corn field. I
then assumed that the British are allowed to own shot guns and rifles the
same as in the US
Due to jet lag, we went to bed before sundown on Half Moon St. near
Pickadilly (Sp?) Square. I could hear in the background the voices from a
big get together of people and thought a wedding was going on. Later I
realized that this was an every night occurrence. Unlike most places in the
US, people are allowed to buy beers and walk out into the street to
socialize. Our daughter working in London took us to a couple large street
drinks. Once I got use to these activities, it appeared that the people were
more laid back, relaxed, less tense, and in general less threatening than
those participating in big crowds in big cities in the US.
When we arrived in a historical site in Scotland, two priests from the tour
bus sat down on some stairs and started enjoying their beers hidden in paper
bags. My wife asked them what they were drinking and shoved down the bag
exposing the beer (Thank God we are not Catholic). A Scottish cop came over
and said "Two things. You are not allowed to sit on stairs, and you are not
allowed to drink in public. Carry those beers down to a pub and finish them
there."
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