VANDALISM has risen by 40 per cent in a year according to an anti-social behaviour group’s annual assessment.
Well why doesn’t this surprise me?
Let’s just take a look around at the damage caused by mindless idiots across our nation.
There’s no doubt we could have this reduced to almost nothing in around 12 months.
Clearly the problem is simple – at the moment, when the culprits get caught they get a slap on the wrist at best for their hard earned efforts. Not under my system.
The first problem is sentencing – forget about ‘human rights’ and the European courts (these are topics for another day) – the fact is that to deter vandals from vandalising they need to pay the price.
I would have a simple rule – You pay for the damage in full – not a fiver here and there – the lot! If you are under 18 then the debt passes straight to your parents.
Let’s look at an example:
For a laugh you decide to smash up a nice new BMW parked on a nearby road.
Assuming you get caught and brought before a judge, the sentence would be a stretch inside, certainly if this isn’t your first appearance along with a bill for the damage. Now if you were daft enough to have destroyed the car – maybe setting it on fire, its going to cost you.
Why should the insurance company pay out, leading to increases in our premiums. No way – the culprit should pay for the lot…
“But I’m on the dole yer honor” I can hear them cry.
Tough – You can work for the state until the full amount has been repaid in full – yes, even if it takes the next 30 years.
This is no doubt where we here the pathetic politicians saying “Oh, but he had a poor upbringing, his father left home, he can’t read or write – just let him off with a slap on the wrist – I’m sure he won’t do it again. ..)
Now traditionally our villains would expect a nice community service order – or ‘gardening’ as it’s better known to the rest of us. Usually some massive amount such as 40 hours (Barely a full working week) It’s no wonder they’re quaking in their boots.
Now if they have to repay £35,000 that might make a difference.
If the parents of under 18’s who roam the street causing trouble were picking up the costs for their children’s fun – they might think about administering some discipline. Imagine a man earning £15,000 a year finding he had to pay £35,000 for the car his child had just torched – that would liven things up! At present these dopey parents haven’t a clue where their children are and nor do they care. They’re happy to leave them as young as 8 or 9 causing a nuisance and getting into no end of trouble – well it’s got to end at some time.
David Black