> Where I live, whatever happens we just have to accept that the cops
> won't do anything about it...

I don't think Englands 'bobbies' have kept up with the times.
They're still using 20th century policing techniques that rely on most people not knowing anything about the law. Twenty years ago, people automatically assumed that if you did something illegal, there was a huge organization prepared to charge you and put you in jail.
These days, just from watching t.v., everybody knows what the law is and how inadequately prepared the cops are to deal with lawbreakers.
Especially teens.
The schools have changed too. Back when I was in school in Hull, if you just looked at a teacher wrong you'd get your hand slapped with a ruler or your butt paddled. You wouldn't dare do something wrong.
These days, the teachers are so afraid of lawsuits it's no wonder nobody respects authority anymore.