Crime and Criminality
We think it is everywhere, we often feel twinges of nerves when we lock eyes with someone walking towards us late at night. Chances are he, she or they are just going about their own business but why do we feel nervous. It may surprise many of you to know but when you feel on edge people you don’t know look larger, more threatening and generally more dangerous than they actually are. Keep calm.
Crime was actually the reason for writing my last book The Plague Doctor, but not from the media’s claim that violence is on the rise and all around us BUT more out of frustration at seeing the silly sentences handed out by judges.
I had long been interested in the real life superhero movement that was getting a global mention. People like Phoenix Jones and England’s own Ken Andre were interesting if not a little…unusual. I am of the view they are trying to do the right thing but not always in the right manner. Jones himself has been in trouble with the law for what he felt, seemed the right thing.
The Plague Doctor was written as I feel there is still a gap between the response from the police/courts and the needs of the people. No service is perfect (the police a service) and they have limited resources. Also with camera phones being everywhere now, in almost all our pockets the internet is littered with recordings and shared videos taken on a daily basis. This why perhaps we see and feel violence is on the rise?
Yes there naturally be an increase when the economy gets tighter, civil unrest and tempers flare, but that has been the way since even before democracy. So nothing new!
So why did I make Vanstone, the central character, take up this vigilante cause to investigate something personal. Well it’s just how the book ended up, it took a lot of work but I’m pleased with the end result. It fitted better than turning him into a cop and other people are actually doing this type of thing now. The wheels of justice move slow in this country and often the sentences handed out are laughable.
In the horrific riots we had in the UK recently a 23 year old student with no convictions was jailed (yes honestly) for six months. He had pleaded guilty to his crime, stealing six bottles of water worth £3.50 as he passed a looted supermarket in Brixton. Ok yes he broke the law but……the judge should be tried himself for incompetence in my view. There is making an example and there is inability to do your job. This is the latter.
Then there is the other end of the scale, a judge let off a Mr L, 22 for biting the face of his ex-girlfriend (words fail me) and threatening to kill her by strangling her in a park while drunk.
He then sent texts to the girl’s father threatening him before he was eventually arrested. Mr L was given a 12 month sentence (suspended for two years = pointless) as the Judge thought he was a hard worker…I think this is a nasty crime being honest.
A week later Mr L was out drinking again and got into an argument, threatening and being racially abusive to a doorman.
This is the tip of the iceberg and he should have been jailed at the first time. The second offence was only verbal but a WEEK LATER.
Some self defence points for consideration.
Taxi Ranks
The chapter in my book involving the taxi rank is based on my own experiences being younger and a constant fixture in the area’s nightclubs. Often there would be trouble and usually a flash point of this was at the taxi ranks. This is why most have security on hand to deal with things as it’s where groups who may have argued earlier come together at their worst. The drink mixes with fresh air; they are annoyed someone else nicked the girl or a whole host of other pathetic reasons. It can be that you are totally innocent and just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Fighting
Here are my own thoughts, 99% of people you meet don’t want to fight. Whatever their mouth’s saying when you’re in an argument with them if you were to meet them 24 hours earlier they would be nice people you might even get along with. It is very often the booze, tiredness, drugs or pressure from an earlier event in the night or their mates.
In instances like this, not rising to the bait (this includes your friends also) usually ensures both sets of people go home with ZERO punches thrown.
The scene at the taxi rank in my book NEVER happened to me but it is the kind of stuff you see there. I was out in my town only a week or so ago and witnessed a text book argument with one group of morons mouthing off and being unreasonable. The second party were fine, they argued back a little but security quickly did their job and had them in a cab in no time. However, all of a sudden (despite being in the cab) they all got out. One of the second group had allegedly racially abused their taxi driver and he then refused to drive them. Now both sets were outside and it all kicked off again.
A lot of posturing but that’s all it was, neither was willing to give the first shove or throw the first punch. I took their taxi back after security called the police and the foreign driver was an absolute star and a real gent.
Another Tip
If a mate is holding the ‘angry’ man back and is half their size, he probably isn’t all that serious about fighting. If someone attacked your kid you wouldn’t be held back by a few fingers and being told “Leave it out Dave.” So if this is happening be mindful that if you keep your distance, his anger will vent eventually and all that usually happens is noise and attitude.
So when you’re next out in your town or city keep in mind people aren’t bigger than they look, there isn’t a killer lurking on every street corner and most of your fellow humans are normally decent individuals. Be respectful to bouncers/door staff as they are just doing their job and look after your friends at all times, crime isn’t everywhere.
Watch the Kicks
If trouble does happen and you do get involved the law can quickly change its view of your actions. Don’t ever kick someone on the floor unless you have an EPIC reason to believe you’re in the mire! That 99.9% of the time my friends is excessive force and not self defence, it’s assault.
It isn’t needed, most of the time you will have witnesses and it is likely that a camera phone is rolling. These cameras don’t discriminate and sometimes they miss the first part of the encounter, only showing you defending yourself but appearing as the instigator in the video.
Think Ahead
It is a balancing act as the real top self defence happens before you even meet the person. Keep with your friends; don’t take that 2 am short cut across the park. Keep your wits about you at cash points. Keep your mobile charged up and think AHEAD, don’t be a victim!
As Mr T would say… “Be Cool Sucka!” and more importantly be safe!
