Is our security robust enough for the Olympic Games, Lollipop?

Lollipop and I are usually apathetic towards the newspaper’s front page headlines, however when the story is happening in your home town it’s pretty hard to remain apathetic. Across the UK , the riots are all anyone can talk or rant about. Correspondents and presenters are repeatedly asking whether the police will ever have things under control, can the thugs be stopped and when will it all end?

However across the world, correspondents and presenters are asking whether it’s safe to travel to our country for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Will the thugs be stopped then, or will the violence have escalated? My Lollipop believes they definitely have a point when asking such questions.

“The FA cancelled the England vs. Holland friendly tonight you know sis. Now everyone in Europe knows how out of control our country is. So why wouldn’t they be asking whether we can still host the Olympics.”

“Yeah, the i newspaper claimed that after a previous nights of rioting across the UK it was an easy decision for the FA to make. If the rioting starts again in 2012 it may also be an easy decision to rearrange the hosting of the Olympics, Lollipop.”

“No! They can’t do that, I don’t think they understand how excited I am about the Olympics finally coming to the UK.”

“Calm down Lollipop. I doubt that will happen. But they were right to postpone the friendly, it wouldn’t have been safe.”

“I know, It would just make the problem worst if things got heated on the pitch. Then they may have to postpone the Premiership’s big kick-off this Saturday.”

“Well they’re already discussing whether the football matches should be rescheduled. The i claims that, “the London clubs who are playing home fixtures on Saturday will take advice form the metropolitan police who will have the final say.”

“But it’s not just the London teams, sis. My beloved Manchester United may also be under threat.”

“Well I wouldn’t really be bothered if anything happened to United, but I understand what you mean. All Premiership teams should be taking the same precautions.”

And the same precautions need to be taken during the Olympics. Minister for the Olympics, Hugh Robertson backed the decision to postphone England’s friendly against the Netherlands. However he believe these precautions will not need to be taken during 2012. Around 12,000 police officers are scheduled to be on duty daily in the capital throughout the Olympic Games. Yet during the riots last night on Tuesday around 16,000 police were patrolling the streets of London to ensure places stayed civilised. If the riots escalate in 2012, we’ll definitely need more than 12,000 officers and improved tactics. The IOC are continuing to back security for the Olympics and reiterate that it is their “top priority.” In order to do this they’ll have to learn from the ongoing UK riots, which at the moment it doesn’t seem like they are.

Of course it’s not the police we should be worrying about or scrutinizing. It’s the thugs that are dismantling our towns and causing headline across the world that state: “Anarchy in theUK.”

“The newspapers should stop reporting on the unrest so much so that they don’t encourage copycat riots elsewhere sis.”

“You know they can’t do that Lollipop, plus it’s not just the news, it’s social media aswell, remember.”

“I know, plus I’ve kinda become addicted to Sky News. It just reports on the riots 24/7, I’m hooked!”

“Yeah, I bet their viewings have rocketed.”

I also can’t stop listening to One Direction and their new single, What Makes You Beautiful. Have you heard it sis? Its like a mixture of rock and pop. Amazing!”

“Lollipop, you only like them because they’re UK versions of Justin Bieber,”

“They look nothing like Justin, but they are HOTT.”

“Yeah, they’re  my new heartthrobs, Lollipop.”

Why is phone hacking still taking over our newspapers, Lollipop?

It’s been almost a month since the News of the World shut down due to the phone hacking scandal. Yet the story is still making headline news with dozens of stars like Heather Mills and Jack Tweed now claiming their phones were hacked. Lollipop and I still seem to be the only ones that aren’t hypnotised by the scandal.

“Amazing, how these celebs have decided to make phone hacking allegations all at the same time whilst the story is still hitting the front pages. Don’t you think Lollipop.”

“Yeah amazing sis. Amazing liars, that’s what they are.”

What? You don’t believe any of the celebs that have come forward.”

“Well I certainly don’t believe low-lifes like Jack Tweed and Ryan Giggs.”

“They’re loaded low-lifes, remember Lollipop, but I know what you mean.”

“It’s ridiculous, I don’t think this story will ever end and I really don’t care,” replies my Lollipop as she reads Alan Carr’s interview with Justin Bieber’s girlfriend, Selena Gomez in this weeks More Magazine. Of course this is obviously a more fascinating read than the scandal or whatever I have to say.

Lollipop does have a point though as usual. Once again the phone hacking allegations have taken over the news headlines despite the fact that there are more thought-provoking stories out there.

BBC newsbeat’s story on the “Big drop in number of young people choosing to drive” is another headline that definitely caught my eye. Unlike the phone hacking scandal this issue is affecting us all. The number of 17 to 22-year-olds taking their driving test has fallen by 19% since 2005, a drop of more than 200,000 people. Much of the decrease has been put down to an increase in the cost of learning and insurance. In 2006, 35 year olds would have paid £245 for car insurance, where as 17 year olds would have paid £2,500. Now 35 years olds are paying around £325 and 17 year olds are paying £4,000 or more for males. This extortionate amount is clearly too much for most and could become a huge problem as they’ll be less drivers and more and more money will have to be put in to public transport. Although the BBC claims there are signs that insurance costs are falling, judging by the past five years it doesn’t seem likely and most of us will become big spenders when it comes to insurance.

Lollipop however, is unconvinced. “Please, you’re only interested in this story because you’re still learning to drive. I bet it’s not even that bad sis.”

“It is Lollipop. When you start driving you’ll see.”

“Yeah you’ll still be learning to drive when I start looking for car insurance, it’s that expensive, plus you’re an awful driver.”

“Well, guess who won’t be getting a lift when I get my car Lollipop.”

“According to this report you won’t be getting a car, let alone offering everyone lifts apart from me.”

“When I’m a stylish rich reporter and fashionista car insurance really won’t be a problem, so I really don’t care what you have to say Lollipop.”

“Yeah but until then you best be up early for the bus,” laughs my Lollipop as I abstain myself from throttling her.

“Have you finished with the More Magazine yet?”

“No, I still need to find out just how much of a good kisser Justin Bieber is. Thanks for buying me his DVD by the way sis!”

“It was a moment of sheer madness but you’re welcome.”