Astute observers of the Northern Ireland scene will note that the protesters - schooled by decades of the Troubles, and retaining an institutional memory - are slightly more adept in making their displeasure known to the authorities.
Those observers may have seen a repetition of the old tactic of using young boys to hurl Molotov cocktails (crates of which mysteriously appear at when needed) at police vehicles, knowing that the boys can't be prosecuted, while over-reaction has often been framed as examples of police brutality.
Observers may also have witnessed the flexible use of temporary street blockades, where they spring up suddenly and are used to suck in police resources. Yet they seem often to be only lightly defended - commonly with children - while other public-spirited activities are conducted elsewhere by the grown-ups.
Thus, the observers may have noted that multiple incidents are often arranged, which keep the police unbalanced and overstretched. The avoidance of direct confrontation, and easily targeted concentrations, often seem to be the aim.
One would hope that these and many more Northern Ireland experiences will not be imported to the mainland as the over-stretched and often badly-led police might find it more difficult to deal with these more sophisticated tactics.
But it does seem likely that further outrages by the head-chopper fraternity might focus the attention of those who feel the need the need to express their displeasure more forcibly, and lead to an evolution of tactics used. You just can never tell these days.
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