As one who uses West Midlands buses quite regularly I was concerned to read in the Express & Star that a number of passengers were victims of so-called “steaming” by a gang of 20 or so thugs in the Heath Town area of Wolverhampton.
I don’t refer to this terrifying experience as “steaming” but violent robbery committed by mindless, cowardly hoodlums.
It was, therefore, still in my thoughts when I visited some relatives recently and caught the 530 service from Wolverhampton to Bilston in broad daylight.
I was the only passenger on the upper deck when three “hoodies” boarded the bus in a less than salubrious area on the outskirts of Wolverhampton.
It started – the awful din from some musical apparatus, the loud chanting and subtle intimidation from the rear of me.
I was only too aware there was only me and them on the upper deck.
I checked my mobile telephone in my coat pocket and my wallet, devoid of cash but containing a debit and credit card.
If they had a go, I might flatten one or even two, but three was unlikely and in any case one if not all of them might be carrying a knife or other weapon.
It also crossed my mind that if the CCTV was working and if I went over the top in defending myself, I might end up being arrested for assault or worse.
Message to the Home Secretary – “This is the real fear of crime in this country today” and from the pen of a retired police officer.
So I adopted the stance of a coward and scurried downstairs to leave them making a horrendous noise to themselves.
The bus driver (a bunch I respect doing a difficult job) seemed to accept it as the norm as did the elderly passengers on the lower deck.
The hooded trio left the bus at Bilston bus station and swaggered off to do their daily business, whatever that was.
But I’ve got the answer: No, not Her Majesty’s Penal Establishments or that badge of honour, the Asbo, but a little establishment not too far from the centre of Hereford.
During the 1980s I took part in an exercise as a hostage on train in a real-life training scenario with the Special Forces, the Police and other agencies.
All of us knew this was only an exercise but when the SAS stormed the train in pitch darkness, both my colleague and I locked in a sleeper carriage were absolutely terrified.
So, when the street or bus robbers are convicted, what about saving the MoD budget and herding them down to Hereford and using them as “hostages” in the “Killing House” where 22 SAS men do their highly specialised live firearms training.
After that they could be used as “victims” in the realistic public order street training before troops are sent abroad.
I guarantee the arrogant swagger and the lust to terrify and intimidate others would disappear!
But no, of course not – we must respect their human rights.
Barry A Mason,
Bull Meadow Lane,
Wombourne.
6 Comments
Her Majesties Government PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a regular bus user, I couldn’t agree more. We loved going upstairs on the bus [so that we could see more] but are now too frightened because of the younger members of the community!
Only 1 thing to say to all the governmental idiots
BRING BACK NATIONAL SERVICE!!
I for one would think that if the government brought back National Service from the ages of 16 to 18 then all this yobism would stop. Other countries do it so why not this country? it would learn them discipline, and also give them a trade to learn it should be made compulsory for them and would also get half the lazy so and so,s off their backsides!
While I agree with some of the comments about the youth of today, I feel that they shouldn’t all be tarred with the same brush. The problem I feel stems from all the political correctness today. When I was at school some 20 years ago they still used the cane or a good old fashioned clip round the ear. We were not angels but we all had respect for our teachers and any authority figures. These yobs today have nothing to fear in the way of punishment, so as any kid does they take advantage of this. We also had youthclubs and disco’s to go to in our early teens that were a great way to give us somthing to do other than hanging round the streets which seems to be the only thing they can do today and it will only get worse now that 18 year olds that were used to going pubbing and clubbing (most behaving well) will not be able to now, what are they supposed to do? Stay at home and pop out babies? I think if all these PC correct do gooders lived in the real world they would see that the only thing that will solve this is harsher punishments and giving them somthing to do.
Send these yobs, gang members etc. to Iraqi and Afganistan if they want to fight, be anti-social. Let them burn up their hatred of life where it can do some good.
Karen,
Exactly!!!
Sentence them accordingly to the crime committed… 5 years… 10 years… 15 years…ON THE FRONTLINE!!! They would return to society with respect for themselves and others, and a trade to boot.
Let me have a go at them as a Ex serviceman, I very often find myself being confrunted by supposed hard blokes who can take on the world and have all the courage when in gangs but when alone appear to be very different. Personally I wouldn’t want any of them in any team with me because they would probably run away endangering me. As for the gentleman who said give them for the SAS to train with perhaps you meant for them to be used as so-called terrosits ( which in my opion they are ) and they deserve what they get. of course rules in the SF dont allow for prisoners so thats then called cleansing, me myself would love to get hold of some of these concrete jungle bullies and teach em a few things with out weapons but what do I know, I Only fought Argies, Iraqi’s IRA and others I cant mention.
Take Care - who dares wins - ‘Dart’ 22 SAS Regiment D squadron