18

Recording 18

In spite of the large number of prisons we have, crime figures have risen again this year with the number of drug-related crimes in particular increasing.

Many law-abiding citizens believe that our existing laws are just not tough enough and do not as enough of a deterrent against crime. In recent years there has been a move to abolish laws which were deemed to be too harsh or strict and to reduce the punishment for non-violent crimes, such as those against property.

On the other hand, in some countries the police can enforce laws against crossing the street at the wrong place by imposing a fine.

Laws like this are passed simply to keep us safe and some see them as an intrusion on our privacy. Focusing on petty crimes in this way can also cause people who generally obey the law to resent the police rather than respect them for what they do.

They would rather their time was spent solving more serious crimes. It’s difficult to believe that reducing punishments will help to combat crime. It goes without saying that laws against serious crimes should be strictly enforced.

However, we also need to focus more attention on crime prevention and educating young people to abide by the law. They need to know that no one is above the law and there are serious consequences if they’re involved in criminal activities in any way.

Some people believe that non-violent crimes or so-called victimless crimes such as fraud should be punished less.

However, there is always a victim somewhere, even if that victim is a company and its owners. And victims often feel the effects of a crime for many years, whether the attack is planned or random.

Perhaps it’s time to start introducing new laws rather than abolishing them.