Quintin Jardine's blog

I’ve just been watching Sky News, which carried an interview with a little looter bastard,  filmed during last night’s urban unrest in Manchester. He boasted openly that he wasn’t protesting about anything and that he had come out for money, pure and simple. Throughout the interview he wore dark glasses and kept his face completely covered, although the crew behind him, who said nothing, were happy to show theirs. Mostly, though, the rioters have been hiding from CCTV cameras, apart from the idiot who allowed himself to be filmed setting fire to a Miss Selfridge store, and who may expect an early knock on his door.

There is one very simple step that the recalled Parliament could take tomorrow to put a lot more power in the hands of police and prosecutors. It could, in a day, introduce a new offence of concealment, and give police powers to intervene immediately they see anyone with his face covered. It would mean banning the balaclava, but I don’t believe that would be a great loss to the fashion industry. The hijab and niqab would be excepted, except in emergency situations.

I know that this wouldn’t stop lawless little thugs from dressing up like Wild West outlaws before going on the rampage, but it would give the police the power to head them off at the pass, and in this week’s situation, every little helps.

We’ve heard a lot from Dave this week about a robust police response, but they still seem on the back foot. The rule of law demands that they don’t piss about. If they’re going to wind up using water cannon, tear gas and plastic bullets, then don’t get there in stages, go there now.