Cathedral Square Incidents

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29177, 11 April 1960, Page 3

Cathedral Square Incidents

Sir,—How right “Ex-police-man” is regarding the young policemen. Why are not older men put on duty in the Square after all the trouble we have had? Having lived in the heart of London, I have seen police use tact many times, before making any trouble, and they had some toughs to deal with. We lived opposite a police station and the police were our friends and we theirs.—Yours, etc. LONDON CALLING. April 8, 1960.

Sir,—When constabulary duty’s to be done, a policeman’s lot is usually to be criticised by somebody or other; and to that extent the police, so long as they are demonstrably doing their best, deserve a good deal of sympathetic consideration. Nevertheless, is it not desirable that a policeman, in order to prove an effective deterrent to potential hoodlums, should be as impressive, if not awe-inspiring, as possible? Physique may not be everything, but it undoubtedly has a moral effect, particularly among those who may be disposed to exploit their own muscularity in the course of lawless behaviour. Some years ago, the Chief Constable of Nottingham was much concerned about gangs of rowdies who were disturbing the peace of the city. He recruited a formidable body of athletes, including a few boxers, of local repute, into the city police; and the rowdies judiciously “called it a day.” Yours, etc.,' PRO BONO PUBLICO. April 8, 1960.