Web Forum: Fight or flight?

Feb 23 2010 by Andrew Jackson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE terrible events at Cowcliffe over the weekend coincided with a topic raised on our forum.

greenheadvoter asked: “Yesterday I witnessed a member of the public help the police stop a suspected criminal from fleeing. As the incident happened it looked like a very heroic and logical thing that the member of the public did as the criminal ran into his path.

“It wasn’t until after the incident and the suspect was searched and a knife found that the reality of the situation sunk in that the citizen involved could have been stabbed and killed. Should we as citizens help or should we just stand back?’

MrAngry had reservations: “Unfortunately in the main I don’t believe that many would help, due to the proliferation of guns and knives used by yobs.

“I would like to think that I would help but am honestly not sure as another problem is that a lot of these criminals/yobs usually carry out their activities with others as they are too cowardly to go it alone.

“Another big problem is the so called justice system which more often than not treats the criminal/yob better than the good guy!’

Otis had no faith in the justice system either: “Like many others I hope I would step in and help the police in these circumstances, but as soon as they had nabbed him I’d do a runner. I certainly wouldn’t want to waste my time for the next few months in making statements and turning up in court to give evidence only to see the culprit given a cuddle by some bewigged person who would be better employed as a social worker.

“He/she cannot punish him because the forces of law and order in this country are an empty threat.

“I feel sorry for the police, that is, the ones without pips and brocade all over their uniforms. They put their lives on the line day in and day out to try to protect us and then when they get to court see their efforts ignored and the public’s dream of justice crumble to dust.”

markmyword offered a scientific view: “I think it has rather more to do with how the human mind is ‘wired’. The old ‘flight or fight’ argument. A minority will go to someone’s aid regardless of the danger to themselves.

“However, the majority would either stand on the sidelines observing or move away from the scene as quickly as possible. Until the individual is confronted with the circumstances I don’t believe any of us can say for certain what action we would take.”