What are the limits of our obligations as members of society? Should we intervene when we witness a violent crime taking place? Do those of us with large families to support get a free pass? Or should we disregard our personal circumstances and simply apply the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would be done by? Most of us like to think we would do the right thing, but few of us know how we would actually react in a situation like this. It is a test none of us wish to take.
A couple of months ago, I was watching Newsnight in the sitting-room of my house in Shepherd’s Bush when I heard what sounded like a cry for help just outside the window. I opened the blind and there it was — the ultimate test. Two large black youths appeared to be sexually assaulting a middle-aged white woman in the middle of the street.
I immediately closed the blind, hoping they had not spotted me. What if they kill her and then feel obliged to dispose of the only witness? Then I thought: hang on a minute. If they are about to kill her, and I am currently in a position to prevent it, will I be able to live with myself if I stand by and do nothing? I have to do something.
I ran to the front door and opened it. My eyes hadn’t deceived me. Two young men were indeed attacking a middle-aged woman. To my immense relief, I noticed that my neighbour — an elderly, working-class woman — had also opened her door and was accompanied by her two grown-up sons. They were huge, much bigger than me. If I was going to have to intervene, at least I would not be alone.
As soon as the woman saw us, she reached out her hands and let out a plaintive cry: ‘Help me, please.
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