Of Gangs and Guff
I've been reading a lot of 'guff' in the newspapers today - about the problems of tackling gang culture in London and other English cities.
Lots of commentators appear shocked that a former top cop from America - Bill Bratton - has been invited over to advise the government.
'We have plenty of good cops here in the UK', they say.
'So why do we need a pushy Yank telling us what to do - in our own backyard - because policing London is a quite different proposition from how they do things in the good old USA'.
Now I dare say there's a bit of truth in that - but what's similar to tackling the gang culture in London and parts of America - is the question of race.
In Scotland, Strathclyde Police have enjoyed great success in tackling street gangs in and around Glasgow - but they haven't been pussy-footing around or taking a softly-softly approach.
Strathclyde officers have been using stop-and-search powers - to disrupt gang related activity.
Which would prove highly controversial in some parts of London - particularly in the West Indian community - if recent events are anything to go by.
Witness this comment from Chief Superintendent Bob Hamilton who leads the Strathclyde task force which has been targeting the gangs:
"We have sent a clear message to gang members that we are coming for them and it's not to take them hill walking but to lock them up."
Now I'm all in favour of a robust approach from our police on gang-related crime - but there is no racial element to take account of in Glasgow - or in other Scottish towns and cities.
Whereas there definitely is in London - where you could find plenty of 'local spokespeople' ready to shout police brutality or racism - at the drop of a hat.
So the real community leaders need to get on board - and I imagine for some cities in America this is a well-trodden path.
In which case it's just dumb to try and whip up this false - 'what's America got to teach us Brits' nonsense.
Finally for any readers from the USA - 'guff' is a popular Scottish/Glaswegian word for drivel or rubbish - but I suppose by now you've figured that out for yourself.
Lots of commentators appear shocked that a former top cop from America - Bill Bratton - has been invited over to advise the government.
'We have plenty of good cops here in the UK', they say.
'So why do we need a pushy Yank telling us what to do - in our own backyard - because policing London is a quite different proposition from how they do things in the good old USA'.
Now I dare say there's a bit of truth in that - but what's similar to tackling the gang culture in London and parts of America - is the question of race.
In Scotland, Strathclyde Police have enjoyed great success in tackling street gangs in and around Glasgow - but they haven't been pussy-footing around or taking a softly-softly approach.
Strathclyde officers have been using stop-and-search powers - to disrupt gang related activity.
Which would prove highly controversial in some parts of London - particularly in the West Indian community - if recent events are anything to go by.
Witness this comment from Chief Superintendent Bob Hamilton who leads the Strathclyde task force which has been targeting the gangs:
"We have sent a clear message to gang members that we are coming for them and it's not to take them hill walking but to lock them up."
Now I'm all in favour of a robust approach from our police on gang-related crime - but there is no racial element to take account of in Glasgow - or in other Scottish towns and cities.
Whereas there definitely is in London - where you could find plenty of 'local spokespeople' ready to shout police brutality or racism - at the drop of a hat.
So the real community leaders need to get on board - and I imagine for some cities in America this is a well-trodden path.
In which case it's just dumb to try and whip up this false - 'what's America got to teach us Brits' nonsense.
Finally for any readers from the USA - 'guff' is a popular Scottish/Glaswegian word for drivel or rubbish - but I suppose by now you've figured that out for yourself.
