From: Jeremy Peter Howells, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Do West Midlands Police really think that scattered checkpoints will catch armed criminals and organised drug gangs? I'll take a bet that both had the checkpoints tagged for avoidance 5 minutes after they were set up - the joys of the mobile phone! These checkpoints are a public message that the police are acting against armed crime and drug gangs, especially if there are TV reports and statements to support this. However, I'll bet most members of the public are more than a little wary of armed police deployed like that. Regards Jerry -- The purpose wasn't to catch drug gangs or organised criminals, it was to stop muggers. There have been several muggings in Handsworth where firearms have been used. Remember the milkman shot in the back awhile ago, or the kid shot dead outside the nightclub? There was only one recorded mugging in the patrolled areas while the checkpoints were in place, usually there are 12 reported to the police. Steve. Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
