English Police Officers Saved by Samurai

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2007-01-18 11:01am

The Washington Post wrote:Perhaps inspired by Pulp Fiction (or any number of comic books), a mysterious vigilante with a samurai sword rescued two police officers from a gang of toughs in South Shields, England, last week. It all started when as many as five assailants, armed with knives, chains and a hammer, allegedly forced their way into an apartment and began ransacking the place. Outside, two off-duty detectives, who happened to be passing by, heard the screams of a woman and entered the premises to investigate. They confronted the intruders, but, being out-numbered and out-armed, quickly lost control of situation. Accounts vary, but it appears that just as one of the robbers drew his knife and lunged at one of the cops, a mustachioed do-gooder appeared out of the blue brandishing a three-foot samurai sword.

He cried out, "Leave him alone, he's a police officer!," and then went on a rampage swinging his blade "wildly back and worth and wounding at least one of the robbers." Disoriented by his attack, the gang panicked, allowing police to gain the upper-hand. But, as superheroes tend to do, the South Shields Samurai vanished in the ensuing chaos as quickly as a he had appeared. Police are now seeking his whereabouts and, while not condoning vigilantism, admit "[t]here is no doubt this person assisted." Looks like Batman may have some competition!

Lucky officers, home in time for a nice cup of tea thanks to this man, I'm sure.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2007-01-18 11:09am

I have this picture of a guy in a suit and bowler hat twirling his moustache as he threatens the yobs with his katana.

I guess the other weird superheroes we have over here were off-duty that day.

El Moose Monstero · Post by **El Moose Monstero** » 2007-01-18 11:10am

South Shields indeed, I knew it had more to it than met the eye, not only does it have one of those cool concrete dish thingies for hearing the noise of zeppelin engines coming over the North Sea in WW1, but now also superheroes. Brilliant.

Dartzap · Post by **Dartzap** » 2007-01-18 11:10am

In the last few years there has been a trend.. yes.. a trend for people with mental illnesses to acquire Katina's and go poke people with them, in one case it ended in a person dead, and in another case, the person with the sword got shot down by an C019 squad.

So the reason that the police are looking for the schizophrenic samurai is rather more a case of public safety than shaking them firmly by the hand

Dartzap · Post by **Dartzap** » 2007-01-18 11:11am

Dartzap wrote:In the last few years there has been a trend.. yes.. a trend for people with mental illnesses to acquire Katana's and go poke people with them, in one case it ended in a person dead, and in another case, the person with the sword got shot down by an C019 squad.

So the reason that the police are looking for the schizophrenic samurai is rather more a case of public safety than shaking them firmly by the hand

Lord of the Abyss · Post by **Lord of the Abyss** » 2007-01-18 03:01pm

Dartzap wrote:In the last few years there has been a trend.. yes.. a trend for people with mental illnesses to acquire Katina's and go poke people with them, in one case it ended in a person dead, and in another case, the person with the sword got shot down by an C019 squad.

Hmm; a few years ago the fence behind my mother's apartment got hacked up by a guy witha katana. I didn't realize it was a trend.

Dartzap · Post by **Dartzap** » 2007-01-18 03:09pm

Lord of the Abyss wrote:
Dartzap wrote:In the last few years there has been a trend.. yes.. a trend for people with mental illnesses to acquire Katina's and go poke people with them, in one case it ended in a person dead, and in another case, the person with the sword got shot down by an C019 squad.
Hmm; a few years ago the fence behind my mother's apartment got hacked up by a guy with a katana. I didn't realize it was a trend.

Sarcasm. Learn of it's many uses

Sidewinder · Post by **Sidewinder** » 2007-01-18 10:15pm

Why weren't the detectives armed? If they showed the business end of a pistol to the thugs, it would've ended the confrontation very quickly-- they were only outnumbered five to one, which a gunman would consider acceptable against thugs armed with knives, chains, and hammers.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-18 10:17pm

Sidewinder wrote:Why weren't the detectives armed? If they showed the business end of a pistol to the thugs, it would've ended the confrontation very quickly-- they were only outnumbered five to one, which a gunman would consider acceptable against thugs armed with knives, chains, and hammers.

They were off duty.

Sidewinder · Post by **Sidewinder** » 2007-01-18 10:27pm

Imperial Overlord wrote:
Sidewinder wrote:Why weren't the detectives armed? If they showed the business end of a pistol to the thugs, it would've ended the confrontation very quickly-- they were only outnumbered five to one, which a gunman would consider acceptable against thugs armed with knives, chains, and hammers.
They were off duty.

I believe American police departments require officers to be armed AT ALL TIMES. Do British police departments NOT have such requirements?

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2007-01-18 10:29pm

Imperial Overlord wrote:
Sidewinder wrote:Why weren't the detectives armed? If they showed the business end of a pistol to the thugs, it would've ended the confrontation very quickly-- they were only outnumbered five to one, which a gunman would consider acceptable against thugs armed with knives, chains, and hammers.
They were off duty.

And they're from a country that only arms *some* of its police and gives the rest clubs.

I so wanted to make a Hiro Nakamura or an Afro Samurai reference.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2007-01-18 10:44pm

Sidewinder wrote:
Imperial Overlord wrote:
Sidewinder wrote:Why weren't the detectives armed? If they showed the business end of a pistol to the thugs, it would've ended the confrontation very quickly-- they were only outnumbered five to one, which a gunman would consider acceptable against thugs armed with knives, chains, and hammers.
They were off duty.
I believe American police departments require officers to be armed AT ALL TIMES. Do British police departments NOT have such requirements?

There is no such requirement. Plus, officers going outside their assigned districts have no jurisdiction, so doing anything with a sidearm there would be incredibly stupid.

General Brock · Post by **General Brock** » 2007-01-19 12:53am

Jason von Evil wrote:
Imperial Overlord wrote:
Sidewinder wrote:Why weren't the detectives armed? If they showed the business end of a pistol to the thugs, it would've ended the confrontation very quickly-- they were only outnumbered five to one, which a gunman would consider acceptable against thugs armed with knives, chains, and hammers.
They were off duty.
And they're from a country that only arms *some* of its police and gives the rest clubs.

I so wanted to make a Hiro Nakamura or an Afro Samurai reference.

Well, the Zaitochi editions fit into a cane...

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2007-01-19 07:07pm

I really, truly thought that the first British superhero would use a rapier...or at least a claymore!

Honorable Mention · Post by **Honorable Mention** » 2007-01-19 07:49pm

I'm having visions that resemble Star Wars kid a lot more than Batman...

darthdavid · Post by **darthdavid** » 2007-01-19 08:08pm

That is pretty bitchin'. Also, the thugs should have remembered a simple rule: Never bring a knife to a sword fight.