Letter to The Editor - An effective police force that will crack down on mob violence and threats thereof

To The Australian          Roger Bridgland is mistaken (30/8) in claiming that Lauren Southern "is responsible for subsequent events" after organizing a speaking tour that she knew in advance would be controversial. For, while she could indeed reasonably expect "protests" and that her views would not "go uncontested", she cannot from that be fairly held responsible for the kind of protesting and contesting that her opponents actually engaged in. It was their decision to engage in violent and destructive mob behaviour and it is they who should be held responsible for the need to contain it. Moreover, society (in this case the state and people of Victoria) needs to ensure that it has an effective police force that will crack down on mob violence and threats thereof. If Victoria Police regularly does that, it won't be long before such massive police presence will not be needed at controversial public assemblies.
  Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic