Weak links in the thin blue chain

Rioting (as opposed to looting) is an all-male affair. For some strange reason, riot control is not, writes Peter Rhodes.

One of the silliest sights of the riots is a line of big, burly cops advancing on the ungodly with their ranks interspersed with little women police officers.

Having a quota of female riot cops may tick a few politically-correct boxes but it creates weak links in the chain.

It is as daft as sticking two little girls in the England Rugby squad.

We wouldn't dream of doing it in sport, which is a ritualised form of battle, so why do it in the real thing?