Theft is theft, whoever does it, and whoever it is done to

mkpdavies · 25-08-2006, 01:57 PM

http://www.ukip.org/ukip_news/gen12.php?t=1&id=2471

Quote:

25-08-2006

The suggestions made by the Sentences Advisory Panel to downgrade the penalty for multiple shoplifting offences came under fire from Roger Knapman MEP, Leader of the UK Independence Party, today (25.8.06).

"The message that this Government puts out against crime is simply disgraceful. By suggesting that theft is unimportant, one of the bedrocks of our society is threatened. This shows us, yet again, the contempt that the Labour Party have for the people of Britain".

Mr Knapman continued: "Fat cat politicians and bureaucrats might not think that £200 is a great deal of money, but to a small shopkeeper it is very serious. This country has always prided itself on the fair application of the rule of law and the sanctity of private property, obviously the Government believes in neither".

"UKIP entirely agrees with Richard Dodd, of the British Retail Consortium which represents 85% of retailers in the country, when he said 'It is like offering a licence to people to go into stores and take things without paying'. It is obvious that this is just another attempt to keep criminals out of prison and on the streets, where they are free to prey upon the law abiding majority. It is shocking", said Mr Knapman.

"Criminals should not be pandered to, but penalised. This gives the impression that the state doesn't care. Well, the people of Britain do care, and will punish this Government for its contempt of their concerns".

Mr Knapman continued: "If this means that we need to build more prisons, and I believe it does, then more prisons should be built".

Good!

mkpdavies · 25-08-2006, 04:27 PM

Some top rated comments from the BBC

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thre...334&#paginator

Should shoplifters be sent to jail?

Quote:

Yes for the first 3 offences.

On their fourth offence, the word "Thief" should be tattoo'd on their forehead.

If there is a fifth offence they should be publicly flogged

sixth offence, they should have a hand cut off

Seventh offence, hang them.

I know I appear a bit liberal but I think this approach would work.

Neil C, Rugby, ENGLAND

Quote:

I'm glad to hear Labour is continuing its policy of "Tough On Crime (Victims)"

I was worried about facing a prison sentence for downloading MP3s but now I can go to HMV, steal the CDs and not face punishment, phew!

It's a joke, an absolute joke. I wonder which priveleged criminal group will receive absolution next?

Mr Smith, Nottingham

Quote:

Just to tie in the multi-cultural debate, if this was a Muslim country we would cut their hands off!

LABOUR has proven once again that they are unbelievably soft on crime. Deterrents in this country just do not exist anymore. No wonder the streets are overrun with criminals.

Better deterrents = less crime = less people in jail. It isn't rocket science!

[Phill_Callaway], Sheffield, United Kingdom

Quote:

Most shoplifters have little or no money
therefore they cannot be fined effectively.
Motorists however usually have the money
to pay speeding fines.
Shoplifting is premeditated THEFT,lets use
the proper words.Theft usually has consequences
for the person being relieved of goods.
Speeding usually is not premeditated and in
99.9% of cases has no consequences to anyone.
To catch a thief needs effort,to catch a
speeding motorist is a doddle.
Mmmm?which is easier for police and courts?

peter yaren

Quote:

Prisons in the UK are not a deterent, they are an open university for villians.

Build boot camps in wilderness of Northern Scotland. Drag them out of bed at dawn each day for hard labour. It would take only one month to convert the petty thief. They would come out thinking " thats one place I don't want to go back to "

colin, york

I agree with Colin above. Prison just isn't uninviting enough anymore.

kernow · 25-08-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

Some top rated comments from the BBC

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thre...334&#paginator

Should shoplifters be sent to jail?

Quote:

Yes for the first 3 offences.

On their fourth offence, the word "Thief" should be tattoo'd on their forehead.

If there is a fifth offence they should be publicly flogged

sixth offence, they should have a hand cut off

Seventh offence, hang them.

I know I appear a bit liberal but I think this approach would work.

Neil C, Rugby, ENGLAND

Neil C from Rugby has got my vote!

Bluemerle · 25-08-2006, 09:05 PM

A black chap on the local news this evening said that you get more cred coming out of prison than coming out of University. :roll:

Independent UKIP · 25-08-2006, 11:09 PM

I completely agree with what Roger Knapman has said.

This press release has nothing to do with the EU. Many members here have wanted UKIP to have more UK as opposed to EU related press releases. Here is one, which appears to me to continue a recent trend in purely UK related press releases (eg fingerprinting children, problems in Grimsby). I am not a supporter of the current leadership but I think they are due some credit for their new found enthusiasm for dealing with domestic issues. It might be argued that this effort is because of the leadership election. That might ring true except that I'm not aware that Knapman, Whittaker or Bloom have declared their support for any leadership candidate publicly or privately.

Lawrie Boxall · 26-08-2006, 01:53 PM

It's a very good thing they are doing and it should have started after the failure in 2001. Problem is on past history they will go quiet when the party really needs them. Still it's an improvement

Lawrie Boxall · 26-08-2006, 01:53 PM

I would add that it is complaints on this forum that have woken them up

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25-08-2006, 09:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bluemerle Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dorset. Posts: 3,246	A black chap on the local news this evening said that you get more cred coming out of prison than coming out of University. :roll:

25-08-2006, 11:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Independent UKIP Uber Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,142	I completely agree with what Roger Knapman has said. This press release has nothing to do with the EU. Many members here have wanted UKIP to have more UK as opposed to EU related press releases. Here is one, which appears to me to continue a recent trend in purely UK related press releases (eg fingerprinting children, problems in Grimsby). I am not a supporter of the current leadership but I think they are due some credit for their new found enthusiasm for dealing with domestic issues. It might be argued that this effort is because of the leadership election. That might ring true except that I'm not aware that Knapman, Whittaker or Bloom have declared their support for any leadership candidate publicly or privately.

26-08-2006, 01:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lawrie Boxall Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sandhurst Posts: 995	It's a very good thing they are doing and it should have started after the failure in 2001. Problem is on past history they will go quiet when the party really needs them. Still it's an improvement

26-08-2006, 01:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lawrie Boxall Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sandhurst Posts: 995	I would add that it is complaints on this forum that have woken them up