its crazy over there,, it weird i work with these type of kids and i agree with the "why work we will get it for free one way or the other " attitude.
but the main problem with dealing with the riots once they started is three words "health and safety" from working in the UK i know that cops over there are always afraid of being hauled up themselves for being heavy handed, this means their protocol restricts them from dealing with a situation thats not in the book.
in the republic of ireland (south , not even belfast) the gardai are also unarmed,,,, but if you riot or even protest you risk this.,,,,,,
http://youtu.be/ELrPCKf-Ok4
this was a protest to claim back the streets from cars,, the protesters brought a car,, which they bought themselves to destroy symbolically. when they did the gardai hopped them and took them on individually. no protocol just handing out beatings till people went home.
No police were ever identified as the removed their shoulder flashes to remain annonymous.