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• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 07 September 2011

It is obvious just from looking at the media coverage that different tactics were used on the ground in different places, and some with a greater level of success than others. In Romford we had some prior notice that this was going to happen by maybe extrapolating the events from the night before in the way that Darren has mentioned, but also information on social media, and that enabled our fairly far-sighted borough commander, Mike Smith, to put measures in place to ask businesses to close early and to deploy his officers at Romford Station, where the considerable police presence...

• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 07 September 2011

Tim, I have nothing but admiration for the men and women who faced down rioters. I just find the whole thing quite extraordinary, and I think we should wait until we have all the facts before rushing to judgement. I think that is very important. I just have a couple of questions of detail for you. Is there a system in place whereby, when there is an emergency, you can very quickly call in officers either by having radio announcements, like they do for nurses and doctors, or by another form of communication? That is my first question.