Is this right? Should Right-on Ken go now?

[youngmafbog]

In yet another cringe to the culture of liberalism and softness in our legal system, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke and his departmental minions have signalled that shoplifters can avoid jail if they pay for their loot and simply apologise - even though they stole £1.1BILLION worth of goods last year alone.

This soft-on-crime attitude is an insult to the decent and hard-working majority in Britain.

The message from the shoplifters' charter is Carry On Thieving.

If you happen to get caught this time just say you're sorry - and you'll be given a get out of jail free card.

And who will suffer? Shopkeepers AND honest customers facing higher prices to pay for the robbers.

The Sun.

[jackthehat]

So unlike your post, they *won't* be paying for their loot ?

[McMouse]

Steal a loaf of bread......transportation to the colonies is what I say.

[youngmafbog]

Sorry jack, you have lost me.

[jackthehat]

<<And who will suffer? Shopkeepers AND honest customers facing higher prices to pay for the robbers. >>

But your OP says that they'll avoid jail if they pay for their loot.............how does this, then, affect the ordinary shopper ?

[Ankou]

"shoplifters can avoid jail if they pay for their loot and simply apologise"

kinda makes sense in some way.....?

[Canary42]

That's what the cheating MPs got away with, so why not the rest of us.

[New Judge]

It effects the ordinary (or honest) shopper, jack, because even though a vast number of shoplifters currently go undetected or unpunished, a few of them might just be wary of the deterrent effect of the (admittedly puny) penalties they might suffer if caught. This proposal eliminates that small deterrent entirely.

[R1Geezer]

it affects the ordinary shopper jack because if they get caught they pay but 99/100 the won't get caught and this will increase shoplifting if the protagonists know they are immune so, tada, all the honest punters pay more, geddit??

Bl00dy Ken Clarke's in the wrong party if you asked me, he'd make a great Noo Labour luvvie or one of Cleggs handwringers!

[mightywease]

<it affects the ordinary shopper jack because if they get caught they pay but 99/100 the won't get caught and this will increase shoplifting if the protagonists know they are immune so, tada, all the honest punters pay more, geddit?? >

I don't - you seem to be saying that status quo will prevail i.e. 99/100 won't get caught, which will therefore, if nothing has changed, not effect customers anymore than it already does.

Or are you saying that the rate of catching is less at the moment and will go up because of this new measure?

Your post doesn't make sense

[jackthehat]

So, if you get caught shop-lifting and *don't* make reparation....nothing happens to you ?

Ta-da..............No !?!

[R1Geezer]

shoplifting stats are whatever they are, some get caought some don't but this is an inducement to take it up as a hobby hence more theiving scum = more theivery in total.

[rov1100]

Its part of the Hard Cop....Soft Cop routine. The hard copper is Michael Howard who is due to reappear very soon.

[Answerprancer]

I think it would work if shops installed an 'apologising platform'.
My idea is this: The miscreant is caught, s/he hands over the goods then is led up some steps onto the 'apologising platform', an announcement comes across the tannoy that a shoplifter has an announcement to make. The thief then makes their apology from an elevated position through a microphone to all the temporarily attentive shoppers, if they refuse - they're handed over to the police and dealt with in the usual way.

[Ankou]

....and while everyone is distracted by the apology platform announcement, the rest of the sholifting gang clean them out ?

[R1Geezer]

surely that would contravene their oooman rites AP.

[New Judge]

It is effectively decriminalising theft. As I understand it there will be no conviction, no criminal record entry and no punishment or rehabilitation. It is, in essence, a green light to steal.

Imagine if the same thing was done with, say, speeding (a far less serious offence). If caught all you have to do is say sorry and pay for any damage you might cause if your excess speed caused an accident. Would the same number, fewer or more drivers speed than at present? Answers on a postcard please, to The Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP, Lord Chancellor, Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Justice, c/o The House of Commons.

[Answerprancer]

You see R1 - I do confuse you don't I, by not fitting into your pre-conceived stereotype about me ;-)

[R1Geezer]

you mean you aren't a cnd supporting dope head then?

[Oneeyedvic]

///Imagine if the same thing was done with, say, speeding (a far less serious offence). If caught all you have to do is say sorry and pay for any damage you might cause if your excess speed caused an accident. Would the same number, fewer or more drivers speed than at present?////

Far less serious? How many people were killed because of inappropriate shoplifting last year?

Actually, they do often offer people who do speed an "awareness course" as opposed to the three points and fine. This has also proved to be quite successful in changing people's opinions about speeding (ie seeing as serious and seeing the impact that it has). You can see people's attitudes towards the courses here: http://www.dft.gov.uk...rt115/pdf/rsrr115.pdf

But still, why let facts get in the way of perceived wisdom?

[Ankou]

"How many people were killed because of inappropriate shoplifting last year?"

well there was that woman who injured her toe when a tin of beans fell out of her concealed pocket. that could have been worse. yes, as far as analogies go it only just beats .....

"He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it."