Some police in Britain have a marvy idea. Let’s just get rid of those troublesome judicial conventions and start dispensing summary justice, shall we?

Surrey’s assistant chief constable, Mark Rowley, has proposed the measures to help modernise the way the police work.

The proposals include:

The power for police to deal with “town centre yobs” by excluding them for an “appropriate period” while they are given an informal warning or made to pay a fixed-penalty fine

Powers for a “neighbourhood constable” - armed with local knowledge - with the right to hand out a three-month ban on gang members causing disorder on estate from associating in public

The ability for police to seize and crush cars driven by those repeatedly driving without registration or insurance, no driving licence or MOT. Instant driving bans could also be imposed ahead of a court appearance

Knife crime could be targeted by giving police the ability to stop and search based on “reasonable suspicion” from previous convictions
Mr Rowley said extra spending on dedicated neighbourhood police was raising hopes within communities that anti-social activity would be dealt with quickly.

“It is therefore time to debate whether constables should be given substantial additional, discretionary, summary powers to meet these challenges… such powers would effectively bring existing criminal justice system powers to the street.”

However, the Police Federation of England and Wales warned such measures could cause problems for police. (BBC News)

Hoo boy. Slippery slope, anyone? Should we start taking bets on how long it would take for the precedent of summary police judgment to be used against, say, political or religious dissidents?

I’d bet on twenty-four hours. But then, I’m a sunny optimist and a believer in human nature…