Soldiers for security at Boat Race - who the hell authorised that!!!?

[florasecretan]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21975466

AIBU to think that if you need feckin' soldiers to police a bloody boat race, there's something seriously bloody wrong.

What on earth is going on - it's Trenton bloody Oldfield not friggin' Rambo!

How can anyone think a boat race justifies soldiers on the public streets of England - I'm stunned.

What's wrong with the Police - have they given up all authority, all pretence of being able to maintain order - is this the Riots again?

Still, the tone of the BBC report suggests it's just some matey lads getting on with the job together kind of thing - not a threat to democracy - so that's all right then.

Time for the universities to re-think whether this is in fact a good PR exercise after all.

They won't be 'pointing their guns AT anyone' unless that person presents a specific and immediate threat to human life. In which case it's surely right that they should?

Check the Rules of Engagement for the Armed Forces before posting such a hysterical, inflammatory and ill informed comment.

Their presence will serve as both a deterrent and as a response to any incident that may occur.

FWIW the Police also have armed units at large events where there is a potential threat. They don't 'point their guns AT people' either.

If some nutcase in the crowd pulled out a weapon or had a bomb everyone would be glad they were there. We have a significant terror risk at all times in this country, even if Joe Public isn't aware of it, large public events are the ideal target, we also have rising gun crime. For all anyone knows there could easily have been a low level threat against the race and that's why they are there. More of them happen than you would think, enough that they don't automatically cancel events, but will send in armed personnel to police them.

They will be there for a reason, because it has been judged necessary by people with FAR more information than any of us will ever have or know about to keep people safe. It's not a jolly and if people are upset by it think about how much more upsetting an incident would be.

I'd suggest you all check the tops of tall building because the police snipers will be up there.

The linked article doesn't actually say that they will be armed.

It sounds as if they will be providing the means for the extra 200 police to patrol on the water. It's not reasonable (or affordable) for the River Police to keep a huge number of additional boats just for this one event when there is a surge capacity readily available elsewhere.

I agree with Married we've both lived too near the boat race for comfort, it's considerably bigger than when I was a kid and whilst I'm against heavy policing, as she says, it's a fast moving and bloody dangerous waterway.
(Spent many a boat race in the Star and Garter of Dukes Head, Married, oh and hope all is well)!
[bgrin]

bugger, that was my first bunny one, too!
[bugrin]

Very sensible use of resources IMO.

The SBS used to patrol around Canary Wharf after 9/11. You could just about see them at night - all in black, in black boats. I don't seem to have been overly affected by this drift towards martial law...

Military Assistance to Civil Government isn't martial law!

Op where are you?

The river and embankment have been busy today. Putney relatively quiet. Tomorrow with be a jolly day albeit the usual p.i.t.a. Putney embankment might be reminiscent of Benitses by closing time [bugrin]. We're too far from the finishing line to see much action but will get all the noise from the two closest pubs - both of which you pre-date dawndonna [bugrin]. The DC will go -one from a bridge and one is going to Bishops Park with big screens, etc.. DH and I will watch it on the telly with a tincture.

Oooh really?!

Might get myself down there .

I suppose the advantage of picking up a Marine is that he'll have a lovely wardrobe of dresses you might be able to borrow.

AuntieStella is right. The booties will have left their weapons in the armoury and brought their best frocks to town.

Oh Good Grief, I'm getting old! [bugrin]

Mmmm Rowers and Marines.

Being really sensible they might have brought in the Marines because the tides have been higher than either DH and I can remember and certainly can't remember them this high for another boat race and we have been in this house for 19 years!

Certainly aware of a few cancelled rowing practices lately [buhmm]. Crosses fingers and toes.

it does rather piss me off when someone who lives in a free country whines about those who keep it that way.

'How can anyone think a boat race justifies soldiers on the public streets of England '
Yes fighting wars so American's can have cheap oil is much more worthy

Americans aaah rogue apostrophe

Being serious for a moment. The RM are there because the Police requested for them to provide RIBs. This is designed to prevent idiots in the water being killed by a blade or losing a sizeable piece of scalp.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Sounds good to me, they have recognised a need for them to be there and are fulfilling that need.

Also it seems like a good situation for them to use as a training exercise as well.