Now can we lock this kind of scum up for 10 years

[Kayless]

http://news.sky.com/h...news/article/16116679
10 years minimum for what is a terrible violation of our private space. Why do we not take burglary seriously?

[sara3]

you'll have to ask whoever sets the sentencing guidelines, but I'm pretty damned sure he won't get 10 years!

[Kayless]

that's the point, we don't treat burglary as a crime. They have to do 500 offences to get a slap wrist. Why are we afraid to protect the public from lowlife scum?

[ChuckFickens]

At least he's halfway literate, and other than the lack of remorse, which is obviously bad, he does have a point about their lack of home security.

[sara3]

I'd suggest that we don't have prison space to lock up every burglar, but that's no answer.

I also understand that a burglar may get a custodial sentence at their third round in court.

and for every time they're arrested, they've committed at least 10 other burglaries they weren't caught for.

[HowardKennitby]

While I wish all criminals could be removed from the planet permanently, other than the unpleasant tone, this letter is just what a Crime Prevention Officer would have said.

[Kayless]

home security is irrelevant. theiving scum is what we are talking about

[Messi_Ten]

He's 16, was starving and had nothing to eat for a week. No one cared about him, what was he supposed to do?

[sara3]

where does it say that?

[jno]

he offers good advice there. Shame the authorities decided to withhold it from the intended recipient, who might have learned something.

[Philtaz]

Thieving scum he may be but I reckon he has rather unwittingly done far more for Crime Prevention/Neighbourhood Watch than the local Plod ever could!

[rov1100]

Expecting criminals to show remorse is as likely as getting Fred Goodwin to feel guilty for accepting all those £mns.

[Sgt.Rock]

Kayless - For the first time, I agree with you. Sure there will be more in future.

[rojash]

I suspect that the guy who wrote that letter works in the PR department of West Yorkshire Police.

[jno]

so what would you want him to do, exactly? Are you suggesting that if he faked remorse instead of being honest he should have got time off for good behaviour?

Seems to me his advice is good: homeowners need to take responsibility for stopping burglary happening in the first place rather than to leave it to the courts to sort out afterwards. Prevention is better than cure.