Last night I watched Traffic Cops from Humberside and my heart went out to the police drivers.Their faces and guarded comments said it all. The rules on pursuits have now gone from being lax and casual in the extreme to them ridiculously, often not being allowed to pursue at all!
Worse than this was their desperation when talking about how 'the system' deals with the conscience-free, adrenaline junkies they catch time after time and who are released time after time to offend and endanger innocent lives again and again.
Children as young as 11 are stealing cars and risking the lives of law-abiding people. To the do-gooders of course, they are misunderstood.
Their overweening arrogance at point of arrest could never have happened in the days of corporal punishment. I accept that this will never happen again and so we must work to bring about a Campaign for Real Sentencing.
There must be rigorous punishments; there must be real FEAR in these youngsters of what will happen if caught.
Bring back borstals; bring back approved schools.
For those over 16 - a five year mandatory, minimum sentence must be put in place for all drivers who engage in any police chases and two years for stealing a car; three years for burning one at the end of ' a good evening out'.
Being carried in a TWOCed vehicle must carry custody - every time! Youngsters will not be permitted to claim 'I didn't know it had been nicked' - it must be their responsibility to find out.
Our society does not need this epidemic. It can be cured - all that is needed is the political will to protect the public rather than the youthful thugs and chavs.
