Let’s get this straight here, there’s an armed man who’s wanted for murdering a number of people and has made threats against both the police and members of the public in general. He is likely to be highly stressed, emotional, tired and not really thinking clearly. Oh, and he’s got a gun. Police have found him and they’re “negotiating”.

Great, fine, important news. How do you think that should be reported?

How about by broadcasting a live telephone interview with someone who has a line-of-sight view to the proceedings? By having your presenter stood at the edge of the inner cordon after being asked to stay in his vehicle? By trying to catch a glimpse of the gunman through the trees? By intervewing an emotional woman about the fact that her mother was told in no uncertain terms to stay indoors for her own safety and rebroadcasting the clip where she says her mother had a gun shoved in her face?

Am I the only one that believes that those tactics are completely irresponsible?

I see that Northumbria Police have now created a 10 mile exclusion zone.

I hope they enforce it. I also hope that the BBC gets a damn good lambasting for its behavour – I’m just as disgusted with Sky who apparently have been doing similar things, but I expect this kind of sensationalist US-style news reporting from Sky. I don’t expect it from the BBC.

I find myself asking “What kind of stupid were these pirates?” Think about it – you’re faced with HMS Cumberland, a Royal Navy Type 22 frigate. Designed as an anti-submarine platform, it’s armed with a whole array of weaponry from the 4.5″ guns to Harpoon and Goalkeeper weapons systems. She also carries a few Royal Marines.

So, there you are, in a small wooden dhow, faced with a Royal Navy frigate and a bunch of Royal Marines in launches coming to board you. Do you think “I’ll take a few potshots with my AK before I turn and run, striking a critical blow to this armoured warship”? I’m sure I can see how that’s going to end so well…

Think we should award these guys posthumous Darwin Awards?