Sir Robert links 'terrorism' with
1973Alex MitchellPolice and the courts Read the scan at ETOL (PDF) →Read from the scan by machine and not corrected: headlines and words can be misread, and a caption or advert can run into the text. For anything you quote, read the scan.
MESSAGE from Sir Robert Mark's meet-the-Press session yesterday is that the Metrop volitan police must recruit swiftly to cope with 'public order.
And 'public order', according to Mark's all-embracing : definition, is handling political or trade disputes and demonstrations and 'counterterrorist activities' In other words Mark echoes the belief of Ulster Secretary William Whitelaw, that trade unionists and terrorists are one and the same thing.
Releasing his annual report, Mark said the force was undermanned by almost 5,000 officers, despite 'the most extensive police publicity campaign ever launched in London' In the last six months 688 left the force, thus exceeding the number of recruits by 172. He disclosed that 106 officers left following internal disciplinary action-an average of two a week.
A percentage of these now face criminal action.
Turning to public order Mark said the police now faced the 'new phenomena' of mass picketing and the flying picket.
Asked how the police viewed this development, Mark said: 'It's a question of numbers. Our job is to contain it— but not to side with one side or the other. But there has been an increase in the last two years in the incidence of strikes. There must be no attempt at repression.' Asked about the emergence of the Special Patrol Groups (SPGs), Mark said: 'It's an emergency reserve. We've got to