http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2008/07/crime_the_numbers_game.html en-gb 30 Fri 01 Jan 2010 09:45:27 GMT+1 A feed of user comments from the page found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2008/07/crime_the_numbers_game.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2008/07/crime_the_numbers_game.html?page=15#comment3 It seems to me there are essentially two aspects to youth crime, each of which needs to be addressed, and funded, seperately.First, there is prevention by early intervention at family and school level. It should be at this level that not only so-called rights of the individual are alluded to, but more importantly, responsibilities, so that it is fully understood that rights are not like free sweets...they must be earned.Secondly, at the criminal justice level, the great and ongoing debates around incarceration, asbo's, commnity orders, etc seems to ignore the obvious. Whilst those on the soft left such as Harriet Harmen enjoy speaking of human rights, and pressure groups insist "prison doesn't work", and those purporting to represent the majority of us who choose not to break the law, bend and sway with the latest protestations of yet another human rights lawyer or activist, the growing menace of youth violence has infiltrated and stained more of our communities.We need laws which reflect old fashioned common sense, and the views and concerns of the wider law-abiding citizen. Might I suggest a zero tolerance policy, such as that proposed by Ray Mallon not too long ago? Accompanied perhaps by meaningful prison sentences for both violent and repeat offenders...which would also lead to large drops in the population of overcowded prisons, as sentences would once again become the very real deterrents they once were?Regards. Mon 04 Aug 2008 22:15:49 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2008/07/crime_the_numbers_game.html?page=10#comment2 If you want to tackle youth crime, you must start by fostering marriage and family life in which children are brought up in a disciplined and loving household.The first pre school years are critical. My neice, a primary school teacher, has told me that some children arrive at school unable to follow simple instructions because of poor parental discipline. Such children are destined to be slow learners and/or difficult and disruptive children. And it is more than likely the yobs of tomorrow will be drawn from this group.We must as a society encourage marriage, encourage responsible parenthood and parental discipline and give teachers the tools they need to maintain discipline in class. Parents for their part must play their part in backing the school as education remains the best way for a better (and crime free) life for all concerned. Thu 24 Jul 2008 17:13:25 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2008/07/crime_the_numbers_game.html?page=5#comment1 A thoughtful and balanced presentation from Robin, which reflects well the range of the discussion last night (that I was at). The size of the 'spend' on custody should be better known, along with the known re-offending rate - I suspect the public would say if the much vaunted 'business' principles, currently in vogue, were applied then it would be shut down. Youth Crime is a complex issue often with individuals responding to totally irrational social situations in ways which result in rational, instrumental outcomes. I would draw bloggers attention to Anrew Bridges (the Chief Insoector of Probation who has the brief for inspection of Youth Offending Teams) saying last week on the Today programme that we need less of the 'new initiatives' and more of the daily, mundane, slow slog that actually brings sustainable change in an individual's life and means crime is a thing of the past. Fri 18 Jul 2008 22:06:58 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2008/07/crime_the_numbers_game.html?page=0#comment0 Less demonising, less categorizing. At that age, you're exploding with hormones and facing life-defining exams at school - one slip and your life may never bloom again. Perhaps Gcse's should be pushed back, out of this volcanic phase. Fri 18 Jul 2008 16:38:27 GMT+1