I have been thinking a lot recently (dangerous I know), about the amount of violent crime that seems to be occurring in the UK.
There are two ways of looking at this – either I am becoming more aware of these as I get older, or they are on the increase – either way something surely needs to be done.
Before I go into my opinions on the situation I thought I would share a few links to get you thinking. All the links are from the BBC News website simply because this was the first to provide a suitable link through Google and I kept with it to remain consistent.
Teenager stabbed to death on Oxford Street, Boxing Day 2011
Four people found shot dead at a house in Horden
Boy killed by Bus after being chased for his phone
There are plenty more I could have used. With regards to the top one you can even find videos of the Paramedics working on Oxford Street, however I see that as a bit distasteful so will allow you to do your own search should you so wish.
“So oaf…..” I hear you ask, “….what are you getting at?”
Basically I don’t see the current justice system as a big enough deterrent for this type of crime. Now I could go into who to blame – ranging from the Govenment, to the parents – but I would rather look at where we go from here.
Current solution:
In recent days two people were found guilty of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, both were sentenced to life with a minimum term stipulated for both of them.
So, in the briefest of terms, these two ‘beings’ – I will come back to this later – have been found guilty of taking a life and as punishment they will be sheltered, fed and possibly educated for at least the next 14- 15 years of their lives, oh and it will cost them naff all as it will be paid for by UK tax payers.
It may be for longer, if denied parole they will be there for life and will eventually die.
After doing a quick search I found an interesting article on The Guardian website entitled ‘The real cost of prison’
So not only do I not see prison as the right punishment, it also costs a ridiculous amount of money in a world living through a credit crunch.
I watched a a video a while ago, around the time that Bin Laden was found, on YouTube by Ken Burton – I have had a quick look for the video and couldn’t find it but here is a link to his website instead. In the video Ken discusses his thoughts that there should a world court that can determine someone ‘inhumane’, in which case this individual would lose all of their human rights. I believe he referred to people such as Gaddafi and Bin Laden, meaning they could be assassinated without recourse. I must admit that when someone goes to such extremes to breach human rights then I agree, they should have their rights taken away and become a ‘being’ not a human-being.
With regards to capital punishment, I am of the opinion that this should be put back in UK law. According to Wikipedia – the last executions in the United Kingdom, by hanging, took place in 1964, prior to capital punishment being abolished for murder in 1969. Although not applied since, the death penalty remained on the statute book for certain other offences until 1998. Obviously how these sentences were handed out would need serious considerations but surely the world would be a better and safer place if certain individuals ceased to exist……
When it comes to news such as this I think the perpetrators should be put in stocks in a very public place and left for the public to do as they wish……..
Bit of a morbid view maybe but I would welcome all opinions below.
oaf out
