Would you be a have-a-go hero?

Britain's most senior cop says we should all celebrate "have-a-go" heroes.

At a meeting with crime reporters, Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson warned that we should not become what he termed a "walk-on-by-society".

"We should encourage civic minded people, those have-a-go heroes," he said. "We know there are risks but we should celebrate it. People have to make judgements and people will feel more confident about doing it if cops are passionate about patrolling the streets."

Yet he admitted it would be difficult under these constrained financial times to maintain a highly visible uniformed presence.

"That's why I have made single patrols the default position (in London)," he said. "That's why we've increased the special constabulary with close to 4,000 specials now. I am also absolutely committed to safer neighbourhood teams."

Would you step in and stop anti-social behaviour or indeed a crime happening in front of you? Or is it often unrealistic and putting yourself in danger?