Police Cautions To Be Scrapped

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29859758

What do we all think about this ? I haven't really given it much thought as yet but I am tending towards the "if it aint broke" argument at the moment.

[weecalf]

No more I say I say then .Will you accompany me to the station why ....cause I am afraid to go on my own.

[Postdog]

As someone who got one once for an incident with a neighbour that was trivial, they are a total east of time.

[ummmm]

It's only a trial.

It appears to be giving more powers to the victims of low level crimes. Surely that can only be a good thing...

[Cloverjo]

"The government says the new scheme - which will also give victims a say in how the offender is dealt with - will be both tougher and more simple."

I don't like the above extract from the proposal. The way an offender is dealt with should be decided by an impartial, intelligent person who has all the relevant details, not an emotional, involved victim.

[Zacs-Master]

I'm sure the victims wishes would be tempered by an impartial, intelligent person. I think the victims may also feel that justice was fairer due to their involvement.

[mikey4444]

Cloverjo...I am with you on that point.

[Zacs-Master]

I'm not.

[ummmm]

We're talking low level crime. Not something that would keep the victim awake at night.

[anotheoldgit]

Must agree with ummmm

[Zacs-Master]

One crime may affect a 40something completely differently to an 80 year old who may well have sleepless nights over the smallest thing.

[ummmm]

An 80 year old might appreciate an apology more than a 20 year old. I suppose that would have to be taken into consideration.

[Zacs-Master]

That's the problem ummmm. Until the scheme is up and running and a wide demographic could be canvassed, we're just speculating. Again.

[jno]

ummm, apparently rapists have been given cautions

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22509506

[ummmm]

jno...that says where the victim does not want to proceed to court. I suppose they wouldn't have much chance of a conviction without a victim.

Still outrageous though...

[mikey4444]

I still have to make my mind up on this issue but I don't think we should be so dismissive of low-level crime. Some of this is now known as "anti-social behaviour" as nobody seems to use Plain English anymore, preferring instead
these daft euphemisms.

But this sort of thing makes some peoples lives a misery, and shouldn't be treated lightly. If there is a better way of dealing with these types of crimes, than a pilot scheme seems like a good way of finding out if its going to be effective.

When I was a kid in the 50's and 60's, being brought back home between two burly coppers was something to be ashamed about and our Dads never let us forget it. I know because I was caught riding pillion on a friends scooter, as a 14 years old and when he hadn't passed his test. I still had to appear before the Magistrates with my Dad in tow, and it was a deeply shameful occasion for both of us.

But I am a good boy now !

[Zacs-Master]

Let's hope the proposals would put and end to such travesties.

[jno]

it just says in some cases, ummmm, and I don't know the true circumstances of all of them. I don't think crimes of violence or abuse should ever be dealt with by cautions, that can't be in the public interest in any way.

[mikey4444]

Jordy...Jasper Carrot was arrested once on Jersey and when he was cheeky, the arresting Officer said " Oh you are a comedian now than are you"

" Well, yes I am as a matter of fact" Carrot replied, which did him no favours at all. Policemen are not known for their overdeveloped sense of humor I suppose !