The problem for the police now is that they could be locked into a strategy from which there is little escape. Each Friday, Price and his team carry out a progress report, partly on the basis of intelligence gleaned from the community. For the past few weeks he has concluded that the threat of violence has receded, and ordered his men to leave their weapons in the ARVs. But this, he makes clear, can change week by week. So far, so good.
Crime rates are down, criticism is muted.
The figures are impressive. Since the operation began there have been only a handful of shooting incidents. About 15 guns have been recovered. But as with any deterrent, it only works if the other side knows that you are prepared to use it. Dr Karim Murji, a criminologist at the Open University, believes British policing is at a crossroads.