The police rubbing their hands

         The police have had a fair bit of stick for their handling of the riots in their early stages. I think they underestimated the fact that it was August, frankly,
         But look at it from their point of view. A load of local ne'er-do-wells kick off in full view of everyone and in in full view of the CCTV cameras. Here is golden evidence. Let it run for a bit. Bring in re-inforcements when things get too out of hand, but in the meantime all the local wildlife will be tempted beyond endurance to join in. A lot of ordinary kids will get drawn in as well, but we can sort that our later.
         Then the CCTV footage gets broadcast. The police haul in the ones they recognise. Bang to rights! Then they get hold of the kids that just want to have fun. Here they can really put the screws on. These kids are scared and worried. There is evidence on them as well.
           Imagine the interview: ' Well, well well, Johnny. You have been a naughty boy. We shall have to charge you, We've got the evidence. You're not really a bad lad, though, are you? We can go easy on you, but you will have to help us. Were any of the Black Hand gang there? Which ones? What were they doing? Was Dodgy Darren there? Apart from these riots what else do you know about what he's been up to?'
           These are scared kids. They will sing. They won't get involved in anything like this again.
           This is a bonanza of CCTV evidence, eye witness evidence and criminal intelligence. I reckon we will see a dramatic fall in all sorts of crime figures in the future. The usual suspects will have records now, and a huge number of marginal kids will be put off forever.