Starmer's vision quest

[C R]

I also imagine that if the poster's complexion was of a darker hue their experience may have been different.

Police corruption and racism overlapping in London in the seventies

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oval_Four

 

[Pblakeney]

Weren't the 70s a time of peak crooked copper?

TV would certainly indicate so but that will largely depend on location. I can only comment on my experience.
Main difference between then a now is the lack of cops on the beat.
From what’s in the press I’d suggest that little else has changed in the meantime.

Personal experience only, never been harassed by a cop (without good reason, I was no angel), never harassed a cop.

 

[Psamathe]

Main difference between then a now is the lack of cops on the beat.

Maybe drifting off-topic but I've never been convinced about Police on the beat in terms of preventing crime (or catching criminals). I can see a PR function but in terms of making things safer I can't see it. Very obvious and easy for criminal to avoid police on beat. Uses a lot of wo/man power as well (hence expensive).

 

[CXRAndy]

Its the presence that helps keep law and order. Especially if punishment is expected from doing such act. Sadly it's severely lacking.

Starmer proposing cancellation of all short term prison sentences

 

[Pblakeney]

Maybe drifting off-topic but I've never been convinced about Police on the beat in terms of preventing crime (or catching criminals). I can see a PR function but in terms of making things safer I can't see it. Very obvious and easy for criminal to avoid police on beat. Uses a lot of wo/man power as well (hence expensive).

With reference to my earlier post, they just had to see you doing something wrong. No need to chase as they knew who you were.
Benefits/downsides of small town living at a time when cops were local. AFAIK, this is deliberately avoided now. Upsides is privacy, downsides is an us and them divide.

 

[AndyRM]

Its the presence that helps keep law and order. Especially if punishment is expected from doing such act. Sadly it's severely lacking.

Starmer proposing cancellation of all short term prison sentences

Genuine lol at that particular bit of nonsense.

 

[BoldonLad]

With reference to my earlier post, they just had to see you doing something wrong. No need to chase as they knew who you were.
Benefits/downsides of small town living at a time when cops were local. AFAIK, this is deliberately avoided now. Upsides is privacy, downsides is an us and them divide.

Like yourself, this is only personal experience, no statistical evidence, but, one of my drinking pals is a retired Police Officer. In the sort of time period you refer to, he was a beat Policeman in the Town in which he lived (and still lives). Even now, 20 years after retirement, I have been out and about with him, when he encounters the odd 'petty criminal" from the "old days". Like him, they are now retired, in their case, from their fighting/drunkeness/burgalry activities, the encounters (so far) have been "amicable".