Policing the riots - 'Let's wash that lot off the streets first'

UP until now most of us in Scotland have just looked on in astonishment at the brutal orgies of violence and looting which have spread across England.

Sure, a couple of dafties are alleged to have tried to spark copycat gatherings north of the Border. But for the most part the impact on Scots has been just a bit of disruption to travel and post to and from London - and, for some, the loss of a chance to see if Holland can beat the Auld Enemy at Wembley.

That position changed a little overnight, when Scottish police officers were sent down to help their colleagues in the Midlands and the north of England.

Alex Salmond said there would be little or no impact on policing here, as only 250 of Scotland's 17,000 officers have gone south to help. But that is the total number of serving police north of the Border, and the actual proportion of on-duty, frontline officers will be much higher.

Even so, the First Minister was right to say that Scotland should help quash the violence in English cities. As has been said by so many commentators, these rioters are lawless scum who care only about filling their boots with stolen goods, and not a jot about class warfare or any other cause they could try to justify.

It is a shame, though, that even now Mr Salmond and his Unionist rivals can't resist a few sly digs at each other about whether or not these are "UK" riots.

What matters is that ordinary citizens are living in fear of a rotten criminal minority. Let's wash that lot off the streets of cities like London first - and worry later about whether our police are saving an "English" or "British" capital.

Break a leg

we are now well into the Fringe and some of the biggest stars are in the Capital - but who will be the next act to emerge into the limelight?

That's what we want to find out, for the third year in a row, by launching our annual Edinburgh's Got Talent competition.

The last two events have been a massive success and given a brilliant platform for some up-and-coming performers from the Evening News readership area.

In fact, EGT has grown so much in popularity that this year our Grand Final has been moved to the city's biggest and best venue, the Playhouse.

The top 10 acts will be on show there on the last Friday in October - but the race begins today with our contest launch.

Details are on pages 26 and 27. Don't be shy, have a go. Oh yes . . . and break a leg.