Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Standing up for oneself ...

I found this news article today very interesting ...

Police seek would-be robbers

POLICE are looking for a man who tried to rob a bakery in Merriwa this morning, possibly with a handgun

The man entered the Bakers Delight store on Baltimore Parade, Merriwa, through an open door about 2.50am.

He approached three staff members in the bakery and demanded their wallets, car keys and money from the till.

Police say during the attempted robbery he pointed to what is believed to have been a silver handgun at the employees.

The staff members refused to hand over their property and the man escaped on foot empty handed.

Mt Hawthorn

In a separate incident, a man tried to rob a pharmacy on Green Street in Mt Hawthorn just before 7pm yesterday and demanded money.

When the pharmacist refused, the man turned his attention to an elderly female customer standing near the counter.

He attempted to take her purse but she also refused and he fled the scene empty handed.

The offender was wearing sunglasses, a grey-hooded jumper, dark shorts, white sneakers and was about 30 years old.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/police-seek-would-be-robbers/story-e6frg13u-1226009958380

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The thing I found interesting was that there was no statement from the police saying "We do not encourage people to stand up to would-be thieves" or words to that effect.

I'm not sure if this is a change in attitudes - both people standing up to those that threaten them and there being no "it's never worth it" statement issued - or whether it's a one off. I'm hoping it's the start of "people are allowed to defend themselves" trend!

7 comments:

Rev. Paul said...

"I'm hoping it's the start of "people are allowed to defend themselves" trend!"

We join you in that hope: it's time.

nick said...

Of course, in the US, we pull out our own guns and blast away. What's a poor Aussie to do? Whip our a boomerang and nail the robber?

Morris said...

Julie, I'm hoping this is not a one-off as well. Too many people have been prosecuted for simply trying to defend themselves.

Old NFO said...

That would be nice! People SHOULD be able to stand up for themselves!

TOTWTYTR said...

I notice that the descriptions of the robbers are suitably non descriptive.

I think it's Tim Blair who calls them "gentlemen of no particular appearance" or something.

Apparently the PC police have instructed the real police not put out politically incorrect descriptions.

Julie said...

It's policy TOTWTYTR - see here:
http://www.news.com.au/national/police-union-angry-at-political-correctness-gone-mad-on-naming-offenders-race/story-e6frfkvr-1225962525589

TOTWTYTR said...

I'm not surprised that it's policy. Disgusted maybe, but not surprised. Can't be offending any protected class people, even if they are criminal scumbags.