Breach of the peace
There are times when statistics tell their own tale; and the fact that thirty-nine Policemen — one of whom may have a broken back — as opposed to only six demonstrators were injured in London's Red Lion Square riot last weekend is one such occasion. Predictably, howls of anguis:i went up from the fellowtravellers who support those violent and extremist wings of British politics, so alike in aim and method, but locked in a conflict of faction Incomprehensible even to themselves. But the fact remains that on all the evidence the British police again did their duty with excephonal restraint.
Naturally, both sets of demonstrators Proclaimed the peaceful intention of their tactics, though both the National Front and the International Marxists have admitted some measure of provocation on the part of their supporters. If there is to be an inquiry, however, it could most usefully address itself to the question of whether or not we are asking too much of our police: if nearly a quarter of two hundred fit and trained men are injured in such a conflict it is clear that they are doing their duty under grave handicap: it is not so long, after all, since a policeman injured in a peaceful demonstration in Cambridge suffered brain damage and the loss of his livelihood. Meanwhile, the magistrates should impose the severest sentences open to them on such of the fifty-four arrested demonstrators as are found guilty of breaches of the peace.
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