Cumbria

[kallis3]

People are always quick to blame the police. It's not always their fault and it should always wait until after an enquiry before pointing the finger of blame.

I do have to disagree PD - farmers need guns, gamekeepers need guns. There should be no reason for a normal citizen to have a gun.

[MrsKnight]

Excellent point Jan.

[Julie]

Its such a dreadful thing to have happened...likewise Dunblane and Hungerford.

Hope all those affected, get support and somehow manage to carry on with their lives.

xx

[Skippy]

I'm getting very fed up with the press attitude of 'let's knock the Cumbria police force at every opportunity.'

They now seem to be getting the blame for holding back the paramedics until they knew the scenes were clear. What were they supposed to do?

From what I can see all the emergency services did a fantastic job in appalling circumstances and deserve praise, not blame.

[kallis3]

Quite agree Skip. The police always get the blame. I do agree that sometimes they are in the wrong, but blame should not be apportioned until the full facts are known.

[martgoingmad]

Hello all,

Being from the area originally I have only just decided to post to the thread.

Firstly as you have said our thoughts go out to all in Cumbria who have been affected by this tragedy, I knew one of the dead from my years of being involved with rugby league in Cumbria. My Father was also worjking in teh area at the time, but luckily was on his way back to South Cumbria just before Derrick Bird headed into the Seascale area.

Most of teh armed response units are situated in the Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness & Kendal areas so for instance any response from Barrow would have taken 40 mins to cover the 40 miles due to the single lane windy A roads to get there, and what makes me angry is the reporter asking the Cheif Supt why an unarmed police man didn't try to stop him when he had a chance???? Maybe because he had a shotgun and rifle!!!

As already said the MET would have trouble with 30 crime scenes in the middle of London but hey in this world we need to blame someone. We may never know why he did it, but something triggered him and I wish somebody had been there for him to talk to sooner similar to this forum to help with any finacial worries he may have had.

Sorry to go on but these thngs sometimes make me think I should move back home to be near my family, but my wife and I are happy where we are, but as Skippy says it could happen to anyone at any time.

Again my thoughts are with everyone else in Whitehaven, Seascale, Rowrah, Frizington & Egremont.

Martyn

[Shining]

A very well written post which conveys a lot of our thoughts too Martyn. xx

[Skippy]

Very well said Martyn. Unfortunately in this day and age someone always has to be blamed and often the police are the easy target - they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

[kallis3]

Excellent post Martyn.

I know the police aren't perfect, but the finger of blame is always pointed at them whether it be right or wrong.

Hindsight always comes into play doesn't it?