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David Redfern's avatar

The best police intelligence emerged nightly, when we used to enforce 10pm pub closing times in the 1970's.

A stroll round the tables in the pubs, politely asking people to drink up, whilst having a natter with the locals. The ten minute drinking up time was extended somewhat, usually around 20 minutes or so.

A walk out into the street to make sure everyone left quietly, then back into the pub for a waiting pint or two whilst the publican updated us on who was doing what, where, and when.

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Fiona C's avatar

Spot on Dom, as usual.

Reopen police stations in the community, send out officers to talk to that community and GATHER INTELLIGENCE whilst going around their normal business. encourage them to submit intelligence reports where appropriate and then have a unit to review those reports and put people in that/those units with enough nouse to draw sensible conclusions. Then the bigger picture will be visible.

I remember the great unwashed turning out for anything that had potential for disorder. Like the rest of us plan to go to a party they plan to go to a demo/march and still do I am sure. The majority do not necessarily hold strong political views but do it for entertainment (and the potential for a little profitable looting) BUT we knew who they were due to intelligence gathering before, during and after the event.

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