To think the police should’ve acted to stop this?

[OhhhPeee]

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/police-hundreds-gather-manchester-funeral-18150043.amp

To sum up the article, a large group of mourners gathered for the funeral of a well-known local man in Manchester. Police did not stop them, despite them breaking the rules of lockdown, because “emotions were high.” Surely that’s the case at any funeral?

Amongst the mourners, an incident occurred where shots were fired and the shooter was subsequently stabbed in the face, perhaps suggesting that these particular mourners were a volatile bunch. AIBU to think that the police were simply too scared to stop these people? And that the message is that they are above the law?

It is particularly upsetting as so many law-abiding people are being forced to miss funerals at the moment.

None of them are law abiding citizens. Yobs, every one of them.

The prisons are massively overcrowded and police have had huge cuts . This is what the outcome looks like

google the family. And given how many turned up at the service, imagine what would have happened if they'd all kicked off. I'm not interested in the family. It isn't just a question of what happened at this funeral, it is about the precedent it sets. So now the big rough boys know they can do what they want and they won't even get challenged.

What can the police do, there aren't enough police, oh the poor police. Well they knew when it was happening, apparently they knew what would happen so what they do is call on other divisions in Greater Manchester and on other forces, it happens frequently with big events. I used to organise support like that, sending van loads of officers in riot gear to neighbouring forces when they were dealing with hundreds of protestors. Getting to close? Have a look at riot gear, I think it would work as PPE, nice helmets with full face shields, overalls, gloves, boots, they won't be turning up in a tshirt and trousers.

Police officers do extensive riot training, it isn't just a squad but hey never mind they all know now that they can do just what they want.

What can the police do, there aren't enough police, oh the poor police. Well they knew when it was happening, apparently they knew what would happen so what they do is call on other divisions in Greater Manchester and on other forces, it happens frequently with big events. I used to organise support like that, sending van loads of officers in riot gear to neighbouring forces when they were dealing with hundreds of protestors

That assumes that they are available. Take into account those who are self-isolating, vulnerable and those who are already ill - how many does that leave.

I don't disagree with the principle that it shouldn't have happened. But I think they didn't have enough resource to stop it and deal with the repercussions.

It was a funeral, not a pre planned protest. The police had to balance that with the obviously public disorder that would have occurred if they had somehow managed to ban it.

It was a funeral, not a pre planned protest. The police had to balance that with the obviously public disorder that would have occurred if they had somehow managed to ban it. So on the one hand we are told the police decided to let it go ahead as they thought that was safer than trying to stop it and on the other hand it wasn't preplanned so what, they didn't know there was likely to be trouble. One or the other they can't have it both ways.

That assumes that they are available. Take into account those who are self-isolating, vulnerable and those who are already ill - how many does that leave. It leaves enough to stop people sitting on benches, people sun bathing, people buying Easter eggs, kids riding bikes, to threaten to start searching shopping bags. Seems like plenty to me.

Let me see it I've got this right...

As long as I gather a lot of people, and we all have knives or guns, we can do whatever the fuck we like?

And the police wil be too scared to actually make us follow the law?

Cheers, didn't know that.

Maybe I’ve misunderstood... so there was a funeral where someone was stabbed and gunshots were fired yet people are advocating’ leave them be???’
I despair.

1forsorrow Many protests are planned months in advance and are well known about and can be planned for. G8 in Glasgow back in 2005 for example.

Not a few days notice for a funeral. The police still have to balance respect for the occasion and public disorder.

Nicknacky I've planned policing for a protest with less than 24 hrs notice, do you really think the police only bother with potential public order offences if you give them enough notice.

1forsorrow If you genuinely had experience in organising staffing for protests you would be more knowledgeable than this.

Choctimeout yes that seems to be where we are. Unbelievable. I thought it was only the area I lived in where the police were as much use as a chocolate teapot, seems I was wrong.

Nicknacky think what you like, I've spent many many hours sorting out policing for big events/riots/protests.

I wonder why they bothered having a funeral. They should have told them it would take place when the pandemic is over or when the wretched yobs can learn to behave themselves.

What a truly shit country we live in.

1forsorrow I will think exactly like that. Because if you went in with the attitude that you are displaying here then you would be in with the divisional commander the very next day trying (and failing) to explain why you caused a riot and for officers to be injured.

Because that’s what would happen.

Sensible and considerate is not what these folk are famed for locally

Not sure if you're talking about the family, the "mourners" or both, but what beats me is why anyone would want to honour such an individual by turning up at his funeral at all

Or maybe some were just hoping for a bit of excitement and the chance of a fight?

"It's risk assessment. And if it was a gathering of criminals, maybe the police aren't that bothered if they all catch it."

@MrsTerryPratchett - I agree, the police were being pragmatic, and if those criminals are notoriously violent, the last thing hospitals need now is dozens of people turning up with serious injuries, due to male thugs not wanting to lose face when being confronted by the police. Sounds like it could have turned into a bloodbath.

OP, I think the police made the right choice, but YANBU to feel upset that these criminals seem to be above the law. However, maybe a little natural justice will occur and the virus will take a few of them out. What a shame it would be if there are no ventilators available when they fall critically ill...

I actually despair.

Seems people would genuinely have preferred a mass riot with serious casualties and property damage.

And what’s with the faux shock about criminals not giving a shit about the police? News flash - that’s why they’re fucking criminals!

Nicknacky think what you like, I've spent many many hours sorting out policing for big events/riots/protests.

Were they funerals? That's a pretty thick added layer of complication.

Sending riot police to break up a funeral is not a good look.

We’re taking about people who don’t obey the law on a normal day, let alone at funeral where their emotions are running high....police telling them move on just leads to extra unreasonable behaviour from people that are unreasonable to begin with. The same people happen to also hate the police and would happily attack them. Police risk assessed the situation and stopping guests from attending this funeral is not worth the potential fights and violence from said low lives.

If there were other serious crimes occurring in the funeral gathering then fair enough the police should have intervened, but not to simply enforce social distancing or to scatter a public gathering

Nicknacky, I said, Well they knew when it was happening, apparently they knew what would happen so what they do is call on other divisions in Greater Manchester and on other forces, it happens frequently with big events. I used to organise support like that, sending van loads of officers in riot gear to neighbouring forces when they were dealing with hundreds of protestors. I never said I made the decision on how to police a protest/public order incident. I said I planned the policing i.e. organising the manpower, so a senior officer would say, "We need x number of officers to parade at 6 am tomorrow." I would then work out the breakdown, number of inspectors, sergeants, PCs, how many drivers, where the vans were coming from, speak to divisional admins etc. Organise refreshments with canteen staff if officers were going to be there for an extended period.

Having said that no one got called into the Divisional Chief Superintendents office about it, that would probably because he would be involved in the decision making, possibly making the final decision depending on the event i.e. where it was, how big it was etc.

Sending riot police to break up a funeral is not a good look. But allowing violent criminals to break the law looks great. How much authority have GMP got with the public now, why should anyone obey lockdown?

1forsorrow So you actually have no idea about the decision making behind the planning for the organisations then? That clears that up.