The Police Are Still There. So, Why Does It Feel Like They Aren’t?

6 May 2026

Paul Francis

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When Everyday Life Starts to Feel Less Policed

It often starts with something small, or at least something that feels small in isolation. A group on e-bikes cutting through pedestrian spaces at speed. Mopeds weaving between cars or mounting pavements without consequence. The kind of behaviour that does not always make headlines, but steadily reshapes how a place feels to live in.

Silhouetted figures celebrate around a large fire at night. Sparks and flames illuminate the scene, creating a lively, energetic mood.

For many people across the UK, this is no longer an occasional frustration. It is becoming part of the background. What was once rare now feels routine, and with that shift comes a more unsettling question. The police have not disappeared, so why does it feel like they are no longer there in the moments that matter?

This is not simply a question of perception. It reflects a deeper change in how policing is experienced at ground level, where the difference between presence and absence is not measured in numbers, but in visibility, responsiveness and consequence.

A Rise in Behaviour That Feels Unchecked

Anti-social behaviour has long been a difficult category to define neatly, but it is easy to recognise when it becomes more frequent. It sits somewhere between nuisance and crime, covering everything from intimidation and reckless behaviour to persistent disruption in public spaces.

Across towns and cities, there is growing evidence that this type of behaviour is becoming more visible again. Reports of incidents remain high, and political attention has returned to the issue after years in which it had slipped down the national agenda. The concern is not only about the volume of incidents, but about the sense that they are happening more openly.

What changes the atmosphere of a place is not just the presence of anti-social behaviour, but the apparent absence of intervention. When actions that would once have been challenged now pass without consequence, it alters expectations, both for those experiencing the behaviour and those carrying it out.

The New Shape of Street-Level Disruption

Part of what makes the current moment feel different is the way technology has changed the nature of everyday disruption.

E-bikes, electric scooters and mopeds have introduced a level of speed and mobility that was not present in the same way a decade ago. They allow individuals to move quickly through spaces not designed for vehicles, to appear and disappear with ease, and to avoid the kinds of enforcement that rely on physical presence.

This is not to say that the technology itself is the problem. In many contexts, it is useful, efficient and widely accepted. The issue arises when it is used in ways that blur the line between convenience and nuisance, particularly when enforcement struggles to keep pace.

From a policing perspective, these vehicles present practical challenges. Pursuits can be dangerous, identification can be difficult, and the threshold for intervention is not always clear. From a resident’s perspective, however, those complexities are less visible. What is visible is behaviour that feels unchecked.

The Erosion of Neighbourhood Presence

To understand why this feels more pronounced, it is necessary to look at how policing has evolved over time.

Neighbourhood policing, the model built around officers who are visibly present in specific communities, has been gradually reduced in many areas. This has been acknowledged within policy discussions, where there is recognition that local policing capacity has been stretched and, in some cases, diminished.

The impact of this is subtle but significant. When officers are regularly seen, when they know the area and the people within it, behaviour is often managed before it escalates. The presence itself acts as a form of prevention.

Without that visibility, policing becomes more reactive. Officers respond to incidents rather than shaping the environment in which those incidents occur. For residents, this shift can feel like a withdrawal, even if overall police numbers have not fallen dramatically.

Competing Priorities in a Changing Landscape

It would be too simple to attribute this entirely to funding, although resources do play a role.

Modern policing is dealing with a far broader and more complex set of demands than it once did. Serious violence, organised crime, online offences, domestic abuse and counter-terrorism all require significant attention and specialised resources. These are not optional priorities. They are essential.

The consequence is that lower-level, but highly visible, issues can receive less immediate focus. Anti-social behaviour, particularly when it sits just below the threshold of criminality, can be harder to prioritise in a system that is already stretched.

This creates a disconnect between institutional priorities and lived experience. What is categorised as lower-level from a strategic perspective can feel like a daily disruption for those affected.

When Consequences Feel Uncertain

Another factor shaping perception is the sense of consequence, or the lack of it.

Enforcement relies not only on the ability to intervene, but on the belief that intervention will follow. When individuals feel that certain behaviours are unlikely to lead to meaningful consequences, those behaviours can spread.

This is particularly relevant in the context of fast-moving, hard-to-track activity such as that involving e-bikes and mopeds. If the practical barriers to enforcement are high, and the risks of pursuit are significant, the likelihood of immediate intervention decreases.

Over time, this can create a feedback loop. Behaviour becomes more visible because it is less frequently challenged, and it is less frequently challenged because it has become more difficult to manage.

A System That Still Exists, But Feels Distant

None of this means that policing has ceased to function. Officers are still present, incidents are still responded to, and serious crime continues to be addressed with urgency.

The issue is one of experience. For many people, the aspects of policing that most directly affect their daily lives feel less immediate, less visible and less reliable than they once did.

This is not a claim that the system has failed in its entirety. It is a recognition that its presence is being felt differently, particularly at the level of everyday interaction.

The Question of What Comes Next

The response to this situation is already beginning to take shape. There are moves to strengthen powers around anti-social behaviour, to allow faster seizure of nuisance vehicles and to introduce new forms of intervention for repeat offenders.

These measures suggest an acknowledgement that something has shifted, and that the existing framework is not fully addressing the problem.

Whether these changes will restore a sense of presence remains to be seen. What is clear is that the issue cannot be understood purely in terms of numbers or funding. It sits at the intersection of visibility, technology, expectation and trust.

A Feeling That Should Not Be Ignored

The sense that everyday life is becoming less policed is not easily captured in statistics, but it is widely recognised.

It appears in conversations about local areas, in concerns raised by residents, and in the gradual adjustment of behaviour as people respond to their surroundings. When individuals begin to avoid certain routes, certain times of day or certain public spaces, the impact is already being felt.

This is where the issue becomes more than a question of enforcement. It becomes a question of confidence.

The police are still there. But for many, the question is no longer whether they exist, but whether they are present in the ways that matter most.

And that is a question that speaks not just to policing, but to the relationship between institutions and the communities they are meant to serve.

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The Lost Legends of Cinema: Films That Never Came to Be

Connor Banks
Aug 12, 2024
3 min read

In the glittering world of Hollywood, not all dreams make it to the silver screen. Some projects, despite their enormous potential and the star-studded talent attached to them, remain forever in the realm of "what could have been." Among these are some of the most intriguing and ambitious films never made, each with its own unique story that has captivated the imaginations of fans and filmmakers alike. From Alejandro Jodorowsky’s psychedelic epic to George Miller’s ambitious superhero ensemble, these unproduced films offer a glimpse into alternate cinematic realities.

Jodorowsky's Dune: The Psychedelic Epic

Jodorowsky's Dune stands out as perhaps the most legendary of these unfinished projects. In the mid-1970s, avant-garde filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky embarked on an audacious quest to adapt Frank Herbert’s science fiction masterpiece, "Dune." His vision was nothing short of revolutionary, intending to create a 10-14 hour cinematic experience that would transcend traditional film and become a transformative journey for viewers. Jodorowsky assembled an extraordinary team, including surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, Orson Welles, Mick Jagger, and H.R. Giger, with a soundtrack by Pink Floyd. Despite the staggering talent and creativity involved, the project was ultimately deemed too ambitious and costly. Financial and logistical issues, combined with Hollywood's reluctance to back such an unconventional vision, led to its demise. The story of "Jodorowsky’s Dune" was later immortalised in a 2013 documentary, offering a fascinating look at what might have been and showcasing the profound influence it had on future science fiction films.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote: A Dream Delayed

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote concept art piece

Equally compelling is Terry Gilliam’s "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote." Gilliam, known for his work with Monty Python and his uniquely surreal directorial style, spent nearly three decades attempting to bring this project to life. The film, a loose adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel, faced an extraordinary array of setbacks. The initial production in 2000 was plagued by natural disasters, financial issues, and a severe back injury suffered by lead actor Jean Rochefort. These calamities, captured in the documentary "Lost in La Mancha," halted the project, and subsequent attempts to revive it faced similar challenges. It wasn’t until 2018 that Gilliam finally completed the film, though it differed significantly from his original vision. The journey of "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" remains a testament to artistic perseverance, highlighting the often tumultuous path from script to screen.

Atuk: The Cursed Comedy

"Atuk," based on Mordecai Richler’s novel "The Incomparable Atuk," has earned its place in Hollywood legend due to the so-called "Atuk curse." This comedy about an Inuit navigating the modern urban jungle was attached to several high-profile actors, each of whom died under tragic and unexpected circumstances before production could begin. John Belushi, Sam Kinison, John Candy, and Chris Farley all expressed interest or were cast in the lead role, only to meet untimely deaths. The eerie pattern of misfortune has led to a macabre fascination with the project, ensuring that "Atuk" remains one of the most infamous unproduced films in history.

Batman: Year One: The Dark Reimagining

Concept of Gotham City as seen from Above

In the realm of superhero cinema, Darren Aronofsky’s "Batman: Year One" represents a radical departure from the traditional portrayals of the Dark Knight. Aronofsky, known for his dark and psychologically intense films, envisioned a gritty reboot of Batman that would strip the character down to his essence. This version of Bruce Wayne would lose his fortune, live on the streets, and don a makeshift costume. Despite the intriguing premise, Warner Bros. ultimately chose a different path, opting for Christopher Nolan’s "Batman Begins," which balanced realism with a more traditional narrative. Aronofsky’s bold vision remains a fascinating "what if" scenario, reflecting the creative risks involved in reimagining iconic characters.

Justice League: Mortal: The Superhero Ensemble That Almost Was

Finally, George Miller’s "Justice League: Mortal" was an ambitious attempt to bring together DC Comics' most iconic superheroes in a single film long before the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With a cast that included Armie Hammer as Batman, D.J. Cotrona as Superman, and Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, the project promised a sprawling, epic narrative. However, it was plagued by a series of setbacks, including the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike, financial issues, and concerns over audience confusion due to multiple actors playing the same characters in different franchises. Despite never being made, "Justice League: Mortal" has become a source of endless speculation and interest, illustrating the complexities and challenges of launching a shared cinematic universe.

The Allure of the Unmade

These unproduced films, each with their unique blend of ambition, talent, and misfortune, offer a tantalising glimpse into the alternate realities of cinema. They stand as reminders of the fragile nature of filmmaking, where even the most promising projects can falter and fall into the realm of legend. Yet, their stories continue to inspire, serving as both cautionary tales and sources of endless fascination for those who dream of what might have been.