European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 15, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Triggers Call for arms for Britain s bobbies by Gavin Haycock United press International he slaying of a police Constable peddling his bicycle to the scene of a drug related killing has reopened debate on whether Britain s unarmed bobbies Are adequately equipped to Deal with a society increasingly beset by violent crime. The killing of policeman Patrick Dunne and two other people in less than 24 hours underscored concerns that the British capital while still generally Safe is increasingly susceptible to violent crime. National offences involving firearms have increased 50 percent Between 1988 and 1991 and armed robberies have almost doubled. The country has been hit by a spate of carjacking and bloody racist attacks. What is happening on the streets of London questioned a headline in the guardian newspaper. We Are confronting More and armed criminals with heavier and heavier weapons metropolitan police commissioner Paul Condon said. The combination of drugs Money firearms and ruthless criminals is very  there was no warning that Dunne s routine Call to a Domestic dispute at a House in Mapham South London would turn into a Bloodbath. But people were not surprised to learn that once again criminals turned to guns quicker than Law enforcers. Dunne went to the House in Cato Road unarmed because that is what the vast majority of Britain s police would do they Pride themselves on being officers in one of the few countries where police do not routinely carry guns. When he arrived he heard several gunshots outside the House and went to investigate. He was shot dead by three men. Also slain was a drug dealer who had recently been under surveillance by the drug squad. The killers laughed As they ran off. The slaying touched a raw nerve in a society used to unarmed officers. Only 7,700 of the 127,000 officers in England and Wales carrying weapons. More than 30 police have died in the line of duty in 12 years and the latest slaying reignited debate on whether More should carry arms. Jwt1 two London constables pedal their beat in increasingly violent London. The Only Protection against the gun is the gun said Mike Bennett chairman of the metropolitan police federation. But Many officers disagree saying guns Are not the answer to growing violence on the streets. We would want to hold out against being armed As Long As possible said Ian Johnston Deputy assistant commissioner in charge of South London. There May my officers will be protected we will equip them for the risks that they face Paul Condon metropolitan pc commissioner come a time when the Price we Are paying is too High but not yet police commissioner Condon one of the nation s most senior policemen also cautioned restraint the general feeling is most police officers do not want to be Armea he id. My officers will be protected we will equip them for the risks that they face. At the moment the balance suggests that we need not Arm All officers All the time but it is a Fine  the debate comes at a time when the governing conservative party is trying to make Law and order a political Issue. At the party s annual conference last month the British government promised to be tougher on criminals. Whatever the government does it will have to do quickly. Police have already expressed concern at the widespread availability of guns in Britain on the Black Market they have also warned of the growing number of weapons being imported illegally into the country from East european countries following the breakup of the soviet Union. Police forces around Britain were recently sent a bulletin from the National criminal intelligence service outlining the serious violence linked to the crack cocaine Trade As drugs flow in from the United states and the Caribbean. The Alert comes five years after a new York Fri agent told a British police conference that unless the crack cocaine Trade was tackled the United kingdom was in danger of mirroring the increasing Street violence seen in the United states. Short subject the Mussolini name Means a lot in Naples by Daniel  the associated press the candidate faced the exuberant crowd with the same slightly protruding eyes and prominent Chin reflected in the portrait of Benito Mussolini on the Wall behind her. She moved from the meeting Hall to the stalls of a bustling Market Street. Hearing who was there an elderly woman rushed Over for an embrace repeating the candidate s name enthusiastically. A delighted Alessandra Mussolini turned to an aide. It s like an advertising slogan the name is a guarantee. The name is enough " she said. In chaotic Naples Italy where citizens Yeam for order even As they destroy it the 30 year old granddaughter of the fascist dictator has a Chance of being elected mayor on the Neo fascist ticket after nov. 21 elections. That raises the Prospect of a Mussolini hosting leaders of the seven largest Industrial countries when they hold the g-7 annual Summit in Naples in july. The Prospect worries some particularly on the left. Symbolically it s very serious that a candidate with the name of Mussolini might acquire such an important position in government said Giacomo Marramao a professor of political philosophy at the University of Naples. Out of six candidates Mussolini is expected to end up in a dec. 5 run off against fellow parliamentarian Antonio Bassolino a longtime official of the communist party and its successor the democratic party of the left. Mussolini s strength lies in older poorer sections of the City of 1.2 million people like the Sant Antonio neighbourhood where she began her Campaign on a Cloudy Day in late october. People came flocking As she passed through stalls spilling Over with squid and Salami towels and cutlery. Somewhat awkwardly Mussolini kissed proffered Cheeks and moved on quickly. Many elderly people evoked her Grandfather. He was the most honest Man in the country said Anna Canzanella 70, who said she lost three Brothers to Allied bombardment in world War ii. Mussolini says her Grandfather committed an error in instituting anti semitic Laws and apologizes for them she also praises him for restoring Italy s Pride. In an interview she acknowledged that her popularity stems in part from her name but also because i represent a break with everything that has been in the  this is a Clear reference to the nationwide scandal that has disgraced much of the country s political and business leadership. Her Campaign promises first reorganize City administration and then strengthen the forces of order clean up the Bay of Naples and fight unemployment which stands at 27 percent compared to 10.3 percent nationally. Mussolini monday november 15, w3 the stars and strikes