Discover Hertford Online Forum

Reply ID 5964

I agree,as i was once a victim to 15+ people kicking the life out of me [not in this town]it instills paranoia about going out.When was the last time you saw a copper on the beat in town? We do need a police precence to be felt or maybe culling is the answer !

Reply ID 5965

I dont have any figs, but it feels like as the town has grown busier (esp at night) over the last decade, the number of police around in the evening has not kept up with the drinkers/diners in all the new bars/pubs.

Reply ID 5966

No budget for Police under this government. My pal has just had his application put back another year. (he has already been waiting 1 year)I find it amazing that for years the government has ploughed money in to looking after illegal immigrants, but now does not have the funds to adequately police the streets. If you want more Bobbies on the beat, take a look at Mr Howard's manifesto's.

Reply ID 5967

But at the same time I hate to think how these kids were brought up - just what type of person does this to another human being that is minding their own business and even offered to buy them food? They have no shame at all, they were not worried about being identified at all, returning to their victim more than once. What gets me even more is that this brave man has even said he is thankful it was him and not a weaker person it had happened to as they would not have survived. My sympathies go out to this man and his family & I would be the first person in line to assist if he ever needed any help. I hope they read this forum.

Reply ID 5970

I too am sickened by this attack. Does anyone know if the council has plans to address the growing violence in our town or at least is studying the problem with a view to some action later? The council have let a drinking place sporout up on every corner and made it a binge drinkers ideal towwn to come to. Is it too late to reverse this? Victor I agree we need more police but i don't think immigration has anything to do with this: less than one tenth of a penny in every pound spent on public services this year will go to asylum seekers. Furthermore they probably have better morals than these scumbags. They will almost certainly be better educated, which may have something to do with it.

Reply ID 5972

Victor I agree we need more police but i don't think immigration has anything to do with this: less than one tenth of a penny in every pound spent on public services this year will go to asylum seekers. Furthermore they probably have better morals than these scumbags. They will almost certainly be better educated, which may have something to do with it. [/quote] How much in each pound will go towards new policemen in Hertford considereing able bodied intelligent people are being put back a year in joining?? I am not going to get into a debate on who has the higher morals, as there is good and bad in every race. But I think the residents of places such as Dover would have a different opinion to you. The education really should lay in the laps of the parents on how to conduct oneself. As per normal I blame the parents. However, lets not digress away from the fact that this was a terrible attack on what would seem an innocent man. I have many a time staggered in to the said takeaway thinking that I was the funniest man on the planet whilst surrounded by teenage lads. Prehaps I have been lucky. Makes you think hard!

Reply ID 5973

Sounds like someone's been reading the Daily Mail again. How on earth does a terrible attack like this get linked with asylum seekers/immigrants? The fact is that the people who did this are scum. Put as many bobbies on the beat as you like, they would still be scum. And don't try to blame it on binge drinking either - I've been out more times than I care to remember and got plastered without feeling the need to kick the sh*t out of anyone. The drink has nothing to do with it if you're a nasty piece of work in the first place.

Reply ID 5975

Please could we discuss this very important issue without being sidetracked into a debate on immigration.

Reply ID 5976

All councils up and down the UK are being forced to spend millions to pay for asylum seekers and the money is not there for proper Policing and other services to our own taxpaying public. I am not going to discuss the asylum issue here, but that's how this got linked. I just feel sickened and utterly repulsed by the sort of attack that maybe my own father could have been unwittingly involved in! Think about it.. I think all hertford should be apauled at this crime and nothing short of custodial sentances to these yobs, and don't use their youth as an excuse, they clearly knew what they were doing and more than one was involved. I don't want a town/county where I am scared to move around because of 13 year olds. If we don't send out clear messages to stop them, this will continue and maybe Joby its one of your family next time.... emotive maybe, but time for the UK to say enough is enough.. I am not running for parliament but won't be voting for Phoney Blair....!

Reply ID 5977

Couldnt agree with you more Drama queen. I could have linked the lack of funds to military spending if that would have pleased more people. The fact is that trouble has esculated on our steets since there has been less of a Police presence. Why is there less of a Police presence? The government have not allocated enough funds to allow them to employ more. Fact, people have been on waiting lists to join up for over 18 months. Irrespective of what newspaper I choose to read, this government are failing in several areas and have been for the majority of their last term, policing is one that I have chosen to bring to light because of this matter, the fact that I choose to link it to illegal immigrants is neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is that this was a particlally vicious attack that may have been prevented if there were more of a police presence in Hertford on a Friday and Saturday evening irrespective of weather the accused had been bindge drinking and or were not scum bags.

Reply ID 5979

Victor wrote: >If you want more Bobbies on the beat, take a look at Mr Howard's > manifesto's. This is the man who cut police numbers whilst home secretary despite promising to raise them! Sorry to go into electioneering mode there but I can't think of anything worse for the fabric of society (and a subsequent long-term rise in violent crime) than the return of that man. I agree it's an apalling attack, we need more police on the streets not just for prevention but also as part of the community (make people feel safer, someone to ask directions from, encourage reporting of crime etc.).

Reply ID 5990

we need more than police on the beat, we need the courts to stop accepting violent crimes as the norm giving out lesser sentences! instead they should see how long it takes a victim to recover both physically and emotionally and then the offenders should get punishment twice as long as a minimum requirement. im sick of hearing the offenders say its because they havent had a good childhood so therefore its not there fault. there are plenty of people who have bad childhoods who dont behave in this way. its time the whole system toughened up!!

Reply ID 6000

quote:

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Originally posted by newcomer
Victor wrote: >If you want more Bobbies on the beat, take a look at Mr Howard's > manifesto's. This is the man who cut police numbers whilst home secretary despite promising to raise them! Sorry to go into electioneering mode there but I can't think of anything worse for the fabric of society (and a subsequent long-term rise in violent crime) than the return of that man. I agree it's an apalling attack, we need more police on the streets not just for prevention but also as part of the community (make people feel safer, someone to ask directions from, encourage reporting of crime etc.).

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Reply ID 6002

I feel the problem of idiots/scum who attack people is due to the emphasis on schools etc to be 'acting parents'..if you look at political manifestos they all tend to talk about outside agencies providing childcare..hold on a minute..when you decide to have a child is it not also your choice to bring up this child to the best of your abilities not fob it off to somenone else..some people do however lack parenting skills..the onus should therefore be not on providing child care as much as parental support where mothers or fathers are paid to stay at home in those formative years and money is also given to agencies to support those families that have "difficult' children at an early stage..a minority of parents abdicate responsibilty to schools and social services taking little or no responsability for their own lack of care..i am now as a socially responsible parent now off to get very very drunk as I'm so angry (cheers del) [xx(]

Reply ID 6004

I and my husband are full-time working parents but it doesn't mean we are not taking a very active interest in the well being of our children and ensuring that it is our values and beliefs that are instilled in them. In fact I would say that we are good role models in that we are not in receipt of any state benefits and believe in hard work and self reliance. If your parents work full time it does not mean you are going to grow up to be a thug. I should like to add that many adults have a lack of respect and consideration for one another, there is unfortunately a growing culture of selfishness and lack of common decency. Maybe ethics and morality should be part of the curriculum.

Reply ID 6010

Last Saturday. Parked in Queens Road (north of the A414) in the evening to pick up a takeaway. A group of lads, late teens, walked past me and gave me the most provocative looks. I looked away. As I walked into Parliament Square they were in front of me and as they continued they took turns looking at me over their shoulders and even turning round to look at me while they walked backwards. I have never felt that threatened before in Hertford. Having picked up the takeaway I could see myself being mugged for the £3.50 left in my pocket. It's sad to feel that way. Still, I like to feel I would have punched at least one of their bloody lights out.

Reply ID 6011

A couple of the scumbags being charged are familiar faces on our estate, these airheads have been running amok, a law unto themselves, and thinking their untouchable, for many years up here. Hopefully the whole gang will be brought to justice, and then life will become a lot more pleasant around here (for a little while at least). For those wondering which estate i reside in, take a educated guess!

Reply ID 6012

Please give a thought to the Coppers that are out there on the beat - there are some. I was married to one. It ruined his life. They can nick them to their hearts content but when it comes to court they get off scot free. How frustrating is that? When they do not get any form of punishment from the courts they will continue, and if we fight back we will probably get the punishement. I personally would take the punishement if only to sort the morons out [:(!]

Reply ID 6015

Pinehurst

Reply ID 6024

quote:

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Originally posted by CityBird
I should like to add that many adults have a lack of respect and consideration for one another, there is unfortunately a growing culture of selfishness and lack of common decency. Maybe ethics and morality should be part of the curriculum.

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Reply ID 6028

It's not often that I read something that shocks me but this story has certainly done that. I went out with some mates last night but decided to go somewhere other than Hertford for the first time in ages because of what has been happening. The reports states that one of those arrested is 15. What is a 15 year old doing out at that time of night? Coming home late from work a year or so ago I saw a group of kids walking along Ware Road at 2am. I would guess the younger ones would have been 10-12 years old. In my view the people who are to blame are the parents. How on earth can you instill some sort of responsibility into your children if you are letting them get away with being out at that time of night? Unfortunately there seems to be a rising trend of people knowing their rights but not their responsibilities. This is passed on from the parents to the children. The thing is what do we do about it? More police on the streets? As has been mentioned on here, that costs money and where does it come from*? Can we put pressure on our local councillors / MP to push for this? What is the downside - possibly more conflict between gangs & the police, gangs becoming more furtive and attacks happening on the outskirts of town? It's a bit hard to say how things might continue but could we see an estate gang culture coming - Sele Farm v Pinehurst and the likes? Vigilante groups picking off individual members of gangs? My eyes do not see a particularly rosy future for Hertford. And finally, I'd like to wish the man who was attacked a speedy and full recovery. * BTW I work for a local authority. The rise in council tax over the last few years has not been due to asylum seekers but the introduction of e-government. It means that people will be able to lodge a planning application at 10pm at night rather than wait until the following morning to do it. I'm sure we're all overjoyed that we can now do this rather than have more police on the streets.

Reply ID 6029

Thinking about it, as we have an election coming up, I am going to bash off some letters to all the candidates for the local & central government elections, the police and The Mercury.

Reply ID 6033

Maybe it is time to get the army on the streets if the police can't/won't keep the yobs under control. Can't wait for the councillors etc to start knocking on doors canvassing for votes .... what with this kind of thing and my primary school aged daugher having 17 different teachers at school last year am not a happy at all with public services in Hertford.

Reply ID 6034

....but at least we can take some consolation from the fact that there are so many people in this forum who want to keep Hertford as a friendly and safe place to live. You could even go so far as to say that we represent the moral majority. It's just that it's time our vision of Hertford was applied, not that of the teenage lager louts. Time to call last orders on ever more bars and pubs aimed solely at youngsters. Time to get the police to arrest kids who vomit/piss/hurl abuse in our streets at night Time to send out a message that Hertford does NOT welcome anti-social behaviour. (Much of which I suspect is imported from surounding towns on Fri & sat nights).

Reply ID 6035

If the number of mature, sensible adults milling about and drinking in pubs out numbered the yobs, perhaps it would alter things. We need MORE of the civil adults out at night, not LESS because of these thugs. The 38-year-old plus age group is the largest and most powerful demographic group in this country in terms of economic power and as a percentage of the population. If we all went in to town on a Friday and Saturday night, two things would happen. 1) The businesses would react by catering to our tastes and pocket 2) The thugs would think it "UNCOOL" to be out where the grown-ups are, especially as it would probably mean being observed by their parents. So it would sort itself out. It would take time, but I'm all for being out every Friday and Saturday night for the cause!

Reply ID 6036

Nora, I'm with you. This is a grown up town. And Mike, yes I'm sure a lot of them are not from Hertford. I moved here because I like the town. The teenage thugs are everywhere - where do you go to be away from them [?]

Reply ID 6042

a very enjoyable option you have there Nora..... but these youths often dont go into pubs and are thrown out if they try ........ they still congregate outside the likes of macdonalds ect and maybe what is needed, as more families move into the town, is somewhere they can go do there own thing, so they dont get bored and try to intimdate passers by! the thugs would get closed down by there peers knowing that if we gave them a place to go and they didnt behave we would take the place back off them.[;)] as for anyting to do with hitting any one or even holding on to them if there under 16 your in a lot of trouble no matter what they did to you..... a man driving a council bus for disabled got a brick thrown through the window luckily there where no passengers on board. so the man stops gets out the kids about 10 yrs old dont even try to run! so the man grabs one and calls the police. the police cant belive he's grabbed one of the offending little b*****ds and tell him to let go immediately or he will be arrested. the man asks what about the boy? they say he wont be charged but the man will be an S1 offender as he has, by holding the boy assaulted a child he goes on the child risk register and the boy walks free!!!!!!!! the kids Know this and thats why they dont run they cant be touched ......god bless tv.[|)][xx(]

Reply ID 6046

There's a new peasant underclass out there who have no respect for the law or law-abiding citizens. They are poorly educated, lack any sense of responsibility, yet expect to be provided for unconditionally. Their feral offspring loiter on the streets whilst an overstretched police force struggle to control crime. The use of ASBOs in the town clearly needs to be stepped up. All the local authorities need to understand the impact that so-called low-level crime and antisocial behaviour has on the town.

Reply ID 6059

My brother lives in Cheshunt and went into Hertford with me last night. He had an interesting observation regarding the police presence. Everybody expects a lot of problems around the Cheshunt Pond area every Friday and Saturday night. There are many watering holes in the area and it is a major gathering point. However there are rarely problems because the police presence is so high. Perhaps this has something to do with Cheshunt police station being so close. But then Hertford police station is quite close to Hertford town centre. So if the increased policing works in one area then why are we not trying it in another?

Reply ID 6062

Don't forget, we have to share our poor underpaid bobby's between Herford and Ware. Maybe it proves where they are more needed...... [V]

Reply ID 6073

A couple of years ago, the police did regular drive throughs on Fridays and Saturdays, recognising these problems and the concerns of the residents. They should start these again and show a presence. All the stats show that we live in a low crime area. And it is true to say that we have relatively low crime rates. The police that are available should be directed to attend to our concerns at the moment i.e. Friday and Saturday night disturbances. after all, we pay their wages, even if they deserve more (no follow up on that please). Therefore, if we accept that we are not going to get more police in the short to medium term, whoever gets elected, can we demand that resources be directed to this area of concern? Or, alternatively, if we offer to pay a bit more council tax, will we get a better service from the local bobbies?

Reply ID 6079

used to live in Wood Green..blokes don't get beaten up there just stabbed or shot..even in an ambulance. however what begins inside the m25 often progresses outwards..more police now which party is offering that?

Reply ID 6082

For a while I have been of the opinion that the only way to make parents take responsibility is to hit them where it hurts. For those on benefits they are reduced/stopped. For those in council housing 3 strikes and you're out. Solvent parents/house owners severe fines. Drastic? Yes. Extreme? Yes. But I have been out in Hertford drinking more times than I can remember and I never felt the need to attack passers by.

Reply ID 6083

Couldnt agree more. The parents would soon stop their kids going out if they were costing them 50 quid a pop everytime they caused trouble.

Reply ID 6084

According to Insp Pat Rawle at last nights Hertford Town Council meeting at least five arrests have been made in respect of this attack and one more suspect at police station last night awaiting charge. All hoped that a suitable punishment would be given.

Reply ID 6085

Will the court case be local?

Reply ID 6087

quote:

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Originally posted by sloopjohnb
According to Insp Pat Rawle at last nights Hertford Town Council meeting at least five arrests have been made in respect of this attack and one more suspect at police station last night awaiting charge. All hoped that a suitable punishment would be given.

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Reply ID 6089

Just to add a few things, as you may have read in my only other recent post, I recently fractured my pelvis I am therefore on crutches. Last week I was walking out of my house onto the path, you cant see to the right as I have a tall wall blocking your view untill you areon the path. My Girlfriend was walking in front with me hobbling behind, as she walked onto the path 2 lads around 16yrs old ran straight into her pushing her backwards, they then turned round and frew something onto the floor (I now realise they were those banger things that make a loud bang noise) then another lad comes running almost hitting me. He would have clearly seen his mates hit my girlfriend and that I was on crutches. Now I am a rather vocal person and proceeded to shout at these kids, basically informing them of where they had gone wrong etc...!!! When from behind me I hear a woman shouting some expetives at me (far worse than anything I might have come up with! Turned out to be the mother of 2 of the kids! She was having a go at me for telling her kids off! She refused to accept that they had done any wrong, as her and the kids walked off they decided to shout a few more nice words at me! This is just typical of what I see as the No.1 problem, I see it day in day out at work (retail) parents not supervising their kids properly, not educating them properly and not disciplining them properly. My parents both worked full time from when my brother and I started full time in school. I always new the difference between right and wrong, if my views slipped then my parents made bloody sure that I learnt from my mistake! They would certainly not have had a go at someone on crutches, if I had run into them and then started loud mouthing them, it would have been me in the doghouse! Same as wingnut I lived and worked in WoodGreen, where this sort of thing was far more frequent and severe. I now work in Enfield where again I see this lack of parenting all the time. Now ~ Hertford it scares me what might be next. Perhaps I need to move further North again!

Reply ID 6090

I would also like to follow up on Nora Batty's post, I dont actually fit into this demographic, being 23, but I'm old at heart! I have on a few memorable occasions intervened any situations where either I have seen someone else harrassed or in a couple of situations where I was on the receiving end. I would never contemplate going near someone under 16 as I am well aware of the resulting issues, however being an ex rugby player etc... when I shout people tend to listen! But on each of these occasions I have always thought to myself, what would have happened if it was someone else being threatened etc... Can anyone else relate to this or do I just have one of those faces!

Reply ID 6093

quote:

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Originally posted by carlos fandango
Will the court case be local?

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Reply ID 6095

I would like to point out that the reason they have all been arrested is because of the fact they were all caught on CCTV. Now I know this was not a prevention in this incidence, but surely as they have all been caught and hopefully wil be sentenced accordingly, it will send a message out to the same types of people. YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH IT IN HERTFORD. Once people know they are more likely to get caught, the less they will commit the offence. I say make an example of these louts and send them down for attempted Murder. That should be a strong enough message for the gangs that are starting to emerdge around Town.

Reply ID 6096

Completely agree with every word Victor. They and the scumola that brought them into the world should be made to feel the full force of the law.

Reply ID 6100

sure but as they are all 'under age' they won't get sent to prison, just a young offenders institution where the majority of times they will find it cushy. I find it sad that Sele is the one school that will accept the challenge of educating these kids but we're not currently seeing a benefit. I was schooled there and haven't turned out too badly!!

Reply ID 6102

quote:

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Originally posted by smileyoriley
I find it sad that Sele is the one school that will accept the challenge of educating these kids but we're not currently seeing a benefit. I was schooled there and haven't turned out too badly!!

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Reply ID 6103

Ues I have also heard it is an excellent school but they are the only school in the area that will take the 'problem' kids who nobody else wishes to teach and this therefore means in many cases they will fail in their efforts thus getting a bad name. the school IS improving but it takes a LONG time. When I was there (I left 10 years ago) there was a dodgy crowd then but they never did anything even remotely like this at that age. Wouldn't have dared! It just shows how things change together - at that time the police were still pounding a local beat - PC Thompson was the local bobby on Selefarm then.

Reply ID 6112

I believe that the Schools in the local area have a very hard job to do - education is becoming second with the other issues of the behaviour of the kids, I have a Teenager and I can appreciate what these guys are doing - if only they had 27 hours in the day they would use it

Reply ID 6124

Yesterday about 4.20pm in Hertford post office, well the que was long as usual, but also contained a few guys mid 20s that were intent on being as loud and rude as possible, talking openly in front of the rest of the que about their drug dealings. Also shouting to and fro with others outside of the post office. Young children also in que having to listen and learn from the language they were using! One of them had a pint glass in his hand! They all stank of booze etc... Sorry if this is slightly off topic, but my point is these guys were in their mid 20s older than myself! did they really grow up in Hertford? I dont think so. What can you do in a circumstance like that? if it was two of them maybe politely ask them to mind their language due to kids being there? but 5 or 6 I think not!

Reply ID 6125

Its a shame that the law does not permit certain individuals to carry firearms. If that was the case and you were one of them Mike, my suggestion would be tosimply erase them. Simple answer and it would do everyone a favour.

Reply ID 6128

Mr Meldrew I simply love to come across people with such similar ideas as myself! I am contemplating standing for election, thus enabling my ideas and suggestions to be taken further. I shall need a running partner should you be interested.

Reply ID 6129

quote:

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Originally posted by 01-mike
Mr Meldrew I simply love to come across people with such similar ideas as myself! I am contemplating standing for election, thus enabling my ideas and suggestions to be taken further. I shall need a running partner should you be interested.

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Reply ID 6130

i will vote for you culling is the way forward![;)]

Reply ID 6133

will leave it there or will upset admin!

Reply ID 6139

quote:

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Originally posted by Victor Meldrew

quote:

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Originally posted by 01-mike
Mr Meldrew I simply love to come across people with such similar ideas as myself! I am contemplating standing for election, thus enabling my ideas and suggestions to be taken further. I shall need a running partner should you be interested.

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Baring in mind that my views are slight right of Ghengis Khan and the voting public still seem to be swaying towards Meeeeester Blair, I feel we would not get enough votes!

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Reply ID 6140

Actually its only undesirable louts, I believe the particular person you are refering to was not that fussy.

Reply ID 6149

Just found out. At least one of those arrested for the gang attacke on the man is a girl.

Reply ID 6150

Only aged 14 too, do these kids have "parents"?

Reply ID 6156

One of the police officers who watched it on CCTV said that it was by far the worst assault they had ever seen in their 16 years at Hertford. CCTV is great for catching "people" who do this but if I was on the end of a kicking I'm sure I'd much prefer it not to happen in the first place.

Reply ID 6159

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnSmith
One of the police officers who watched it on CCTV said that it was by far the worst assault they had ever seen in their 16 years at Hertford. CCTV is great for catching "people" who do this but if I was on the end of a kicking I'm sure I'd much prefer it not to happen in the first place.

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Reply ID 6170

well several million people saw two grown men pulling each others hair on a football pitch the other day and the police are still trying to build a case. I guess its all about priorities....

Reply ID 6176

quote:

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Originally posted by MATTHEW
well several million people saw two grown men pulling each others hair on a football pitch the other day and the police are still trying to build a case. I guess its all about priorities....

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Reply ID 6419

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13338507,00.html Is it the new trend or what?

Reply ID 7168

I understand police are now being drafted in from Stevenage and Harlow with a no mercy remit, hence the two cases of police brutality I have personally witnessed and reported in the last few months. I was actually threatened with arrest when I asked for one of the officers numbers. I cannot say more as the incidents are still being investigated. Yet when things get nasty at two in the morning they all seem to have disapeared elsewhere, possibly back to wherever they have come from, leaving our poor old local police to pick up the pieces! Perhaps it's time for a different method such as water cannon to be deployed to break up fights on the street, a good dousing seems to sort things out in other countries, and has been known to disperse hords of football hooligans!

Reply ID 7212

One a week.......http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4592825.stm

Reply ID 7216

My parents had to call the police out night before last because they found a bunch of 'early 20 somethings' jumping up and down on their cars, urinating on them etc etc at midnight. You wouldn't dare even try and sort something out like that yourself these days.

Reply ID 7219

Hopefully the Police got a result. I walked through the Town quite late on Sunday and Last Night and there was no sight of trouble anywhere. Hopefully it was all round town that was quiet not just where I was walking.

Reply ID 7234

Read this: http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/news/mercury/cheshunt_mercury/2005/05/27/police%20swoop%20on%20troubled%20estate.lpf Shows them for what they are. A big bunch of cry babies. Big boys in a group but get one on his own...

Reply ID 7236

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnSmith
Read this: http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/news/mercury/cheshunt_mercury/2005/05/27/police%20swoop%20on%20troubled%20estate.lpf Shows them for what they are. A big bunch of cry babies. Big boys in a group but get one on his own...

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Reply ID 7275

quote:

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Originally posted by Tigger
Hopefully the Police got a result. I walked through the Town quite late on Sunday and Last Night and there was no sight of trouble anywhere. Hopefully it was all round town that was quiet not just where I was walking.

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Reply ID 7277

I don't think it's a case of Hertford being unsafe every night. It's just that when something does happen it's particularly nasty. This seems to be a trend not just in Hertford but nationwide.

Reply ID 7278

Bring on Judge Dredd i say...

Reply ID 7281

Has anyone seen the frint pages of the newspapers today?? "KIDS 'LYNCH' BOY AGED 5" We think that we have had it bad, this is disgusting! It just goes to show that terrible things are happening all over the country.

Reply ID 7794

And another one... "Barrister in a coma after gang attack" http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1511060,00.html

Reply ID 8103

And again, with similarities to local incidents... "father of three has died after being beaten up by a gang of youths near a takeaway shop" Man dies after gang beating http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1517045,00.html?gusrc=rss

Reply ID 9147

Following a court appearance at St.Albans today, four youths were given prison sentences ranging from 10-18 months. Sentencing of a fifth has been adjourned. Details of the sentences handed down are:- A 16-year-old Hertford boy sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. Richard Hale, 18, of Tudor Way, Hertford, sentenced to 12 months. Two 16-year-old Hertford boys sentenced to 10 months. A press release from Hertforshire Constabulary can be found at: http://www.herts.police.uk/crimedatabase/site/content.php?article_id=1676

Reply ID 9148

Far too lenient.

Reply ID 9150

quote:

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Originally posted by CityBird
Far too lenient.

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Reply ID 9155

I think they should have named all of those found guilty irrespective of their ages.

Reply ID 9158

I am shocked at how lenient these sentences are. The ring leader gets 12 months for beating a man to near death. Suppose we should be greatful they are off our streets for 12 months.

Reply ID 9159

I’ll try not to get the forum into any trouble (perish the thought) but the ringleader, one of the unknowns (either one of the underaged convicted today , or more likely the "5th " adjourned, ) is the son of a very well known local thug . Nice to keep it in the family. No doubt he will keep his father’s tendency to get a reputation based on starting a fight without any reason (mostly in the Woolpack), being beaten up & then waiting for months to gain revenge by attacking covertly (& even then still getting beaten up… the man is a bit of an idiot .. & indeed I have said that to his face, albeit moved fairly sharpish afterwards ). Last I heard father is doing time (again) prob spent as much time in as out).

Reply ID 9165

Lets hope the lads sentenced have real pretty faces. Then they will learn the error of there ways!!

Reply ID 9171

much as these are lenient sentances, surely the fact they have been handed a custodial means their lives will now be made much harder. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing. Yes it points out they have broken the law in the past etc etc and will make getting jobs etc harder, but is this what we want? If they cannot get a job, what will they do? Carry on down the wrong path? I doubt very much they will get up off their backsides and do something good for themselves although I would love to be proved wrong. Of course I am not saying they shouldn't be punished, I do, but how do we get people to see the error of their ways? With a prison record, life can only be made harder and most people will use this as an excuse to carry on the way they know. Very difficult subject. [:(]

Reply ID 9180

It is difficult, i wish the US style bootcamp was used over here in some way (not for this serious case). So many of our young generation have no concept of dicipline/respect or responsibility. I believe it could help some kids avert prison later on in life....

Reply ID 9193

the ring leader is an unmentioned but not the local thugs son although he did do his fair share. but to inflict nearly 70 injuries on a person by one of these unmentioned teenagers and only get 12 - 18 months and wont serve it all is a great under punishment. i know the youth prison you get a lot more freedom to move around and nearly every one ends up in a fight sooner or later but with a rep for nearly beating a grown man to death he will proberbly rule the place. Bring back national service for all teenagers Gini

Reply ID 9194

culling

Reply ID 9195

...is the only answer. Dispite my pink & fluffy Grauniad reading tendency I'm probably with you on this one Del...

Reply ID 9196

Eugenics

Reply ID 9197

quote:

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Originally posted by BobH
Eugenics

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Reply ID 11464

Sorry to come into this debate a little late but was having a quiet drink in a pub not long after these thugs were sent down and one of the thugs uncles was heard to say that his nephew was in the young offenders institute where he had his own room, he could have TV, DVD, PLAYSTATION ETC if supplied by the family and that he was going to be out by Christmas so they were going to have a huge party. So where is the punishment in that? Seeing his father was put away soon after.

Reply ID 11494

A few more thoughts: - introduce the three strikes and you're out system. - cessation of benefits after the second arrest (we all make mistakes, particularly when teenagers, and this enables a second chance)and thereby forcing people to work, contribute to society, realise how expensive children are so have less of them, and not have time on their hands with which to cause merry hell for the rest of us working stiffs. - sterilisation after the second arrest so they can't pollute the gene pool any further. - compulsory head-shrinkage for most people, even those that appear sane. - introduction of Morals & Ethics on the curriculum (thank you CityGirl). - compulsory testing to prove fitness as a parent before multiplication commences. - insertion of microchips that inhibit the capacity to cause harm or irresponsible behaviour. I'll think of a few more after a beer or two and when I've got even further into the biography of Good Ol' Genghis...