Whilst there was clearly a larger police presence in the city centre I think the tactics they adopted have to be seriously qestioned. It was more like the policing of a football match with the police seemingly there to observe and act as a deterant only. 47 arrests from 2000+ rioters isn't enough to stop this happening again tonight, it means that 1953 leeches on society went home last night, many with bags full of 'loot' and probably planning their assult for tonight.

The police have the power to use rubber/plastic bullets, water cannons etc yet this is not being used. The only bit of aggression I witnessed from a police officer was to make a child drop their beer then they were free to walk on.

I know we can't have the streets turning into a mass brawl between police and the rioters but if this is to ever stop and the police and the rest of society are going to take back control of our city the police really need to adapt a far more offensive role, there was no doubt at all last night who was in charge and who had the power.