Edlington boys are also victims

I'm not condoning what these lads have done but my experience is that boys like these have come from a dysfunctional family background and as such are themselves abused children. You have to ask the question where was the professional help for these children? I've gathered evidence as an undercover investigator for anti-social behaviour. I've seen the most appalling crimes involving beatings and abuse. I've never had a situation where the perpetrators were not known to the local authority and had a long history of dysfunction and were always children at risk. Social Services and the Local Authorities continually let their service users down. I've known of good social workers who have told their managers about the need to take care proceedings and been told to change their reports to reflect a better position than was reality merely to save money! These lads are victims just as much as the children they have abused.

BEAT THE BURGLARS!

As a private investigator I have detained seized and restrained burglars, car thieves, shop lifters and escaping prisoners. I have letters of gratitude from the police, prison service and a bravery commendation from the Crown Court. On at least one occasion I was accused of using 'unreasonable force', but this was quickly dealt with and the criminal received a prison sentence.

What's reasonable? It would not be reasonable to beat someone who clearly posed no real threat to you or was not in a position to defend themselves.

My experience and advice is: use reasonable force it’s sufficient to keep yourself safe.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN CHILD CONTACT


The Starting point is: does anyone really want to resolve the conflict? Is there a willingness to fix the problem? These may seem silly things to ask but in reality, quite often, resolving conflict means that the warring parties may spend less time together, or not have to communicate as often as they do when in conflict. Conflict can actually be used as a way of keeping in touch thereby not letting go, stalling closure.

If there is a willingness to resolve the conflict then the process should start by taking account of the whole picture and not just your own point of view. This usually involves having to broaden your outlook to take into consideration the other person’s position. One of the major draw backs to this is the assumption that the other person has a brain like yours. They don’t, everyone’s brain is unique, the thought processes are different and to try to get them to process information as you do, thereby coming up with the same reasoning and conclusion as you, is a no brainer.

It usually helps to talk through the needs and concerns of everyone involved. Writing them down gives them a formal feel and allows everyone the opportunity to recognise that their views are properly being taken into the account. It’s important to keep a sense of fairness throughout the negotiations. Look at all the possibilities even the remote ones. Thinking outside the box can often bring about a possible solution. In any event, write down all the possible solution scenarios eventually picking one that gives everyone what they, or at least what they can live with. Keep in mind that everyone should be treated as equal in the process. This is hard if you don’t agree with them. You must keep your feelings under control. It may be worth taking time out if the parties are struggling to come to a united position. Allowing each other ‘emotional calm down’ is an important aspect of negotiation. Allowing and encouraging each person to talk through their feelings and emotions without fear of retribution is the most positive way to work through entrenched positions. Be clear about what the problems are and what needs to change. Do attack the problem but never the person. Work on the positives no matter how slight. Do not allow the negatives to control the discussions. Throughout, keep an understanding of the other person’s position and underpin this by regular acknowledgement of that understanding.

In some cases it may be worth involving a third person: a mediator, but not one that favours a particular side. Any third party should be there only to facilitate good, constructive and positive debate. What you should work towards is a solution that respects the individuals and meets everyone’s needs

Fighting Terrorism

The sun was setting over the hills behind my position. Turf Lodge Estate lay in the shadows shrouded in a golden grey hue, which hid its deprivation. I lay huddled against the wall of sandbags; an uneasy feeling crept over me as the night took hold. The quiet of the observation post added to my apprehension…
Because of its unique location high on the outskirts of Belfast the security forces had long used the electricity sub station for covert observations. The winding road, which entered the estate from the rich countryside, ran just a few yards from the main gate and was a favourite entry and exit point for terrorists.
A section of infantry had set up a vehicle checkpoint around the first bend, out of sight of the estate’s prying eyes earlier in the day. The quiet was disturbed as I heard them pack up and start their vehicles. Within minutes the sound of the engines faded. And a haunting quiet returned.
Instinctively, I searched the sky as my ears picked up the bop, bop, bop as the home made mortars left their drainpipe launchers. Mesmerised, I watched three bombs tumbled out of control towards us . The first hit the sub station perimeter wire and fell to the ground harmlessly. The other two cleared the fence; hit an area of loose pebbles and exploded. The orange flashes sucked the oxygen from my lungs. I threw myself flat onto the floor. The bombs packed with six-inch nails, sent steel and pebbles flying over my body. Jeff hadn’t moved quickly enough: the blast forced him into me. His blood and torn flesh oozed through my fingers as I pushed him off, and placed him into the recovery position. Nails were embedded in his back and legs; some had been forced under his skin, stretching it into grotesque shapes.
Seconds later, the quiet returned only the dust and smell of spent explosives remained to tell the tale. Jeff lay conscious, but without sound or movement. His eyes said it all, the shock showing deep in them.
The medics had been quick to respond. Jeff had been stabilised, and waved to the rest of us, as the doors of the armoured ambulance slammed shut.
I held that scene in my mind as his replacement arrived. Jock McCann was a tall lean man, whose dark bushy eyebrows met in the middle. In our elite unit we worked in small groups of four. Jeff gone, Jock’s presence put us back to strength.
I briefed the new arrival and made my way back to the observation post. Dave Bryant took up his position at the main gate. Jock stayed with the radio, and I lay watching the estate with Andy Hall close to hand. The night took hold. Once again, the quiet set in and the uneasy feeling returned. My senses heightened and I peered into the dimly lit streets, expecting something, but not knowing what. In the background I could hear raised voices. I strained to listen; it seemed that Jock and Dave were arguing. Before I could clarify my thoughts, instinctive reaction, forced me to the ground in response to a sudden sharp crack as a weapon discharged. A second shot rang out. The noise stopped as suddenly as it started. I heard the screams of someone in pain. My thoughts and gaze turned to the main gate and the road leading into the estate. I half expected to see another set of smoking drainpipe weaponry, but there was nothing to be seen. Puzzled, I moved towards the sound of the injured. Two more shots rang out, the bullets passing above my head. The thud as they hit the sandbags confirmed their high velocity. I ran and dived for cover, hiding between the massive electricity generators. By the time the third shot rang out, I’d realised that I was being targeted. I moved quickly dodging in and out of the machinery until I came to rest at the foot of a concrete pillar. I had a clear view of the main gates, which lay fifty foot in front of me. One of them was open the body of the injured man preventing it from swinging shut. He stopped screaming and lay motionless. The sound of his sobbing filled the gap between us. I couldn’t make out who was lying there. I wanted to shout to him, but feared giving my position away. I scanned the area. There’s no cover, what about there, no, not there, no cover, white stone chatter, very noisy, too much of it, silent so much silence every bloody where, no sobbing no movement, my movement; movement means signal, signal means give away position why? Why me? I shouldn’t be here, I should be back at home with my mum, eighteen only eighteen, a boy no man, oh shit, don’t go, stay, stay where you are, it’s safe here. Go you’ve got to go that’s why you’re here it’s what you do, how stupid, how silly, this can’t be true, can’t be right what’s right, other side of left, get your arse in gear Griff go mate go, go on. My fear wrestled with my conscience thought after thought ran through my mind. Suddenly, my training took over; I leapt up from my cover and hurled myself towards the gate. Nothing moved no shots rang out. I pulled the semi conscious figure towards me. Dave’s face was distorted with pain. I pulled his smock open. A trickle of blood ran down from a small hole in the side of his stomach. The smell of his involuntary bowel movement made me heave. I ripped his field dressing from his belt and forced the pad against the wound. I ran to the radio. Jock had gone. I called for assistance and took up a defensive position overlooking the estate. Peering into the dimly lit streets I could clearly make out the figure of Jock as he ran towards a known IRA safe house. Moments later a black taxi arrived and carried him away. Realising that he had defected, I rang off a volley of shots, but to no avail. I watched in disbelief as the taxi headed towards Belfast, slipping through the search light of the advancing helicopter, which, minutes later carried, Dave as he passed over Belfast and out of this life.

HELP BEAT TERRORISM!

AIDE MEMOIRE

The following list gives examples of actions that may be regarded as being suspicious. It is important that you keep vigilant, one piece of action may seem unimportant but when put alongside other “unimportant” information it constitutes a real threat.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS THEY ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOU

What to look for:-

Any unexplained interest in the outside of buildings, car parks, delivery gates, doors, entrances.
Groups or individuals taking interest in security provisions.
Anyone taking photographs or video recording (often disguised by second person posing for family photo’).
Disguising physical identity…wearing hoods, hats, turned up collar, dark glasses, motorcycle helmets.
Vehicles parked near to, or outside significant areas for longer that normal periods.
Same vehicles seen in different but significant locations.
Different vehicles same parking positions, same occupants.
People staying in the vehicle for long periods.
Activity not consistent with the location.
Unusual contractor activities.
Unannounced contractors/social workers etc.

If you see something you think is suspect, or see an unusual set of activities report it to your co-ordinator without delay and then write down your reasoning/observations as soon as practicable.

IF YOU CONSIDER THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT CALL THE AUTHORITIES.

The consequence of a wrong call = a little embarrassment.
The consequence of not calling = Abduction, injury, DEATH!!!