Police Carrying Metal Detecting Wands Stopping and Frisking Random People on the Street in Great Britain

Believe it or not, when Great Britain banned knives, only the law abiding citizens gave them up. Crimes by knife-wielding assailants continues on the streets, and rather than give the citizens the ability to defend themselves, they have had them surrender more of their freedom.

Now, British police are carrying metal detectors and are stopping people on the street and searching them for knives.

Teams of 15 officers will be deployed across the 10 boroughs in London that have recorded the most knife crime.

Assistant Commissioner Tim Godwin, head of territorial policing in the capital, said officers would be deployed in areas blighted by stabbings to stop and search teenagers suspected of carrying weapons.

Police admit the “in your face policing” is expected to raise community tensions in some areas.

But they say they are getting significant support from communities desperate for them to crack down on the problem.

Yes, there will always be a sufficient number of people to help the nanny-staters justify their actions. But there is also another population they have to deal with: the race baiters. See, the bobbies are spending a lot of time in black neighborhoods. At least, they are according to some:

One Metropolitan Police Authority member, barrister Peter Herbert, criticised the plan today. He said: “It will undoubtedly lead to more stop and search, and more racist stop and searches where people are stopped on the basis of their appearance or ethnicity.

and:

There has been criticism of the powers because research has found it hits black communities disproportionately.

Stop and search has been strongly criticised in the past but police say there is now more support for the action - provided it it is done with sensitivity.

Ah, there it is. The police are just being insensitive to the people. I mean, if you are going to shake a person down on the street, the least you can do is be sensitive to their feelings.

How about this for a solution: let the people defend themselves. I know, I know. Crazy, right?

Hat Tip: The Northern Muckraker