Quite dreadful!
The New York example is good, but would it work in the UK? In the US, fear of punishment is still a potent inhibitor. Not so much here; where simply to save money our Policing and Criminal Justice arrangements are demonstrably not fit for purpose.
Is our 'official' response really acceptable or adequate. The Mayor of Hungerford and the local beat copper have a chat!
First, just like all the other mayoral appointments in West Berkshire, these dignitaries are toothless tigers. Appointed simply as ceremonial heads of councils which have no real authority or power.
Second, as this issue has escalated so dangerously, rather than chatting to the foot soldier, what has the Chief Constable, or more to the point, the Crime Commissioner (who actually lives in the area) got to say about this, or more to the point, what are they going to do?
In my view, the feeble official response simply highlights our impotence and we can therefore at best, we can expect this nasty situation to continue.
Not sure I'd recommend Hungerford as a place to visit, let alone live.
