SPECIAL FEATURE

People ask about (and comment on) crime...

Ordinary people had their say in BBC One Scotland's live debate on Wednesday night in which First Minister Jack McConnell participated.


It is important to tackle crime at its source, prevent children becoming criminals, make the parents responsible.
A large proportion of crime is committed by juveniles, the pilot scheme of a curfew for children in Hamilton successfully reduced the issue of petty crime, why was this scheme stopped and not rolled out to other towns in the region ?
A name and shame policy should be considered first with all petty criminals, have local papers show pictures of a hall of shame each week.
Willie Henderson

As a serving police officer with the Ministry of Defence Police in the Strathclyde Police area, I wonder why Strathclyde Police do not use the officers of the MDP.
I routinely patrol an area which falls outside our jurisdiction, but at the request of an officer from the local area I would automatically assume the full powers given to that officer. Whilst on patrol I have never received information from Strathclyde as to car thefts, house breaking or any such offences, yet we are in the area and probably the last to know.
Surely at this time with this great debate on crime reduction, getting more officers on the streets that it is time that police forces used the facilities that they have on the ground.
John Ayris, Constable MDP

Every time the same issues are brought up about reducing reported crime, increasing solvency and putting more "bobbies on the beat".
Whilst I completely agree with this formula, no government has managed to invest the monies required to fulfil all of the public's and politician's requirements.
The most labour-intensive aspect of this is the "bobbies on the beat" which is a very idealistic approach that PC Plod will be just around the corner when wee Jimmy is breaking into yet another car or house. This is simply not the case.
The high-profile approach/visibility approach is extremely important for public order during any event or flash points at the weekend's for drunken fights/assaults/robberies.
The point I would like to emphasise is that the day to day running of an average urban police division is that "intelligence-led" enquiries is best dealt with by dedicated initiative teams who will concentrate on specific crimes which are committed by more often and not, repeat offenders.
I form part of a multi-function plain clothes unit that concentrates on low-level, high-volume crime and also any crime sprees that spring up.
The public should be re assured that whilst they don't see "bobbies on the beat", there are many lurking about who are providing pro-active patrols and solving a large percentage of crimes.
Name and location withheld

Why does the business community who work for the country as a whole have to bear the brunt of it, as when fraud is commited by an individual they seem to be able to walk away from there responsiblities, because when there cases are eventually heard in court they can plead poverty and walk away.
This can cause SMEs to go under and therefore putting the pressure of this back on society. How does the government in Scotland intend to deal with the damage these situations have on the business community as a whole?
Why can the government not move to underwrite these situations and reclaim the amounts through the PAYE system or make it easier for companies to do so, when the criminal is eventually convicted (alas two-three years).
Should not a fast track court be created for such crimes?
Mark McElney

When is Jack McConnell going to start doing something with powers he has at his disposal in the parliament and act to eradicate this culture of crime which pervades? I have just witnessed this evening an attack on a young girl by two boys and an adult woman in the west end of Glasgow.
Passers-by did nothing, two police patrol officers stood on the opposite side of the street and casually ignored what was going on. I am flabbergasted by this.
Don't lecture me either about how wonderfully tough on crime you are. I don't believe you because I cant see the results of it. Junkies approach you at every corner here in Partick, begging for money.
Gangs run around half killing each other every night, burglaries are commonplace. The area is a shambles and your government has failed in its policy to tackle this evil. Show us all what substance you actually have and start dealing out punishments that ordinary citizens wish to see criminals have.
Martin McGill, Glasgow

As a college and university lecturer, parent and cub Scout leader I found that the most effective way of discouraging people from misbehaving was by shaming them.
Our ancestors recognised this and used the pillory and the stocks to good effect. They are simple, cheap and I imagine hugely effective.
If an individual abuses someone else's human rights by mugging them or similar, that individual dehumanises himself and should lose the right for an appropriate period to his own dignity. The stocks and the pillory would do this.
Neil M. Munro


It should be noted that the Scottish Executive are to be praised as they have already been pro-active in funding various Scottish police forces to employ Intelligence Analysts to identify crime trends, patterns and hotspots. Well done.
George McIrvine Intelligence Analyst Tayside Police

I think that the prison sentences are not enough because all sentences are half remission which means a four-year sentence is reduced to two or less depending on good behaviour or weekend home visits.
I myself have been in prison for non-payment of fines. When I went into HMP Cornton Vale I was young and didn't know a lot about drugs, but after their drug awareness sessions for all the unit , I knew all about how to inject drugs, how to find veins and how I could exchange needles.
Thankfully I do not use drugs but how many others decided to try them after this so called awareness. These prisons are rife with drugs. They are so easy to come by. The government needs to sort out these problems before the courts can do any more.
Lynne, Renfrewshire

I have some experience with working with non home department police forces, British Transport Police, MOD Police, UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary and The Parks Police all working in Scotland. These forces were given extended jurisdiction under the recent anti terrorism legislation and yet although there prime tasks remain the same, I feel they have not been utilised fully in support of their Scottish police service counterparts.
William McBrearty

I would like to comment on the last case of You the Judge. Having been a retailer for over a decade, I understand what it is like to be faced by a shoplifter who is under the influence of drugs.
It is one of the most intimidating and frightening experiences of my life, and the sole reason I have since left this sector of employment. Why should these people get away with it? All too often individuals whom I had caught stealing and had prosecuted, were given three-month sentences, what kind of deterrent is this?
I agree to an extent that to eradicate the problem drug rehabilitation must take place, but it is my view that these programs should take place within a secure unit to say to these people "yes, we are prepared to help you, but you won't get it easy".
Laura, Dumfries

Would the penal system not work much better if, instead of simply locking people up for X amount of time, criminals were given the chance to change their lifestyle by providing education and rehabilitation opportunities, depending on their circumstances? That way the causes of crime are being addressed; poor education, ignorance, addiction.
Emma, 17, Aberdeen

There are two countries that I know of where crime is extremely low - Saudi Arabia and Singapore. There the punishments are so severe that people do not commit crime.
I put it to you the liberals have had over 100 years to prove that rehabilitation works and manifestly failed to do so. Let's have some real tough sentences particularly for repeat criminals that don't cost very much but would be a deterrent. Castration for males and sterilisation for women springs to mind Limb loss might be too drastic but seems to work in Saudi Arabia.
Kenneth D.M. Barr, Dunoon

If prison is made a harder place, with less privileges, maybe that would deter anyone from committing a crime instead of being like a holiday camp, where they can watch videos, work out in a gym. Criminals are there for a purpose, not for a holiday.
Jaqueline Richford, Hamilton


The approach to juvenile crime needs to be changed. When the police have no power to move 50-plus teenagers who are drunk or drugged up, then something is wrong.
The police need to be empowered to deal with the generation of youths terrorising the innocent public. Legislation needs to be changed. Untie their hands and give the public peace of mind.
Fifty-plus teenagers should not be allowed to congregate in one area causing mayhem.
Names supplied, Scotland

The executive has established directives to steer us toward a greener outlook on the environment.
However, there is a distinct shortfall in commitment by the executive to help the electorate facilitate this attitude.
Buses still reek of cigarette smoke, cycle paths prove useful hunting grounds for the cider-enhanced youths to assault cyclists and walkers.
Why are the sentences for child killers so lenient?
David Curley, Wishaw

Would the First Minister commit extra resources to establish these areas as safe zones?
Would the first minister declare a zero tolerance of the crimes committed in these environments and perhaps make disturbance on buses a serious offence?
Mark Paterson, Glasgow

There should be more police officers on the beat. Also when they see a gang of youths congregating they should be moved along as they are intimidating towards members of the public.
Name witheld, Wishaw

Why are the sentences for child killers so lenient? Such as Ian Metcalfe who only got seven years for killing two children.
David Curley, Wishaw

Why can't Scottish law be brought more into line with English and Welsh law or vice versa, so that a just and fair system can be given to all?
Kevin M Duffy, Shotts

Why can I get married at 16 but not purchase alcohol till I'm 18?
Kevin McLean,

I recently spoke to a local police officer requesting a greater police presence at a site of known trouble on a Friday night to act as a deterrent.
Why are there only a few rehabilitation centres in Scotland compared to England?
Kev Scott, Dundee

I was told that due to undermanning they did not have the officers to do this and yet have to come along at the end of the night to deal with the problems.
I am amazed that it is claimed that there are a record number of police on the streets, or are they not in fact tied up in paperwork?
Alex Orr, Edinburgh

Why are there only a few rehabilitation centres in Scotland compared to England?
If there were more centres surely that would help ease the drug problem as now you have to wait up to a year for a place that by the time you have got one, your drug habit has got worse. So has he got any answers?.
Kev Scott, Dundee

You talk tough on crime, and ask the public to help the police to fight crime.
Yet the reality of the situation is the judiciary continually hand out ridiculous sentences, and more and more members of the public are becoming disillusioned with the system and will have nothing to do with it.
What can you do to encourage more appropriate sentencing that actually reflects society's concerns?
A Payne, Scotland

You're nothing but a bunch of do-gooders. Lets do something about crime.
In Singapore, they flog them. Guess the next question?
Mike Diamond, Scotland

I believe that a great many of Scotland's problems can be attributed to young offenders who have a list of previous convictions and are not being dealt with appropriately. Petty crime is where most criminals begin.
Sharon Bunting, Scotland

What more should be done to tackle hate crime against black and gay people and how will your government make its contribution to tackling such crime?
Keith Cowan, Scotland

Does the first minister believe that Scots should be prosecuted for possession of a minor quantity of cannabis?
Will Ross, Scotland

I am a 28-year-old male who is 6ft tall. I enjoy socialising with friends and work colleagues in Glasgow city centre, particularly after work on a Friday night.
I have now been mugged three times in three years, once very violently by a group of six.
I have two questions. What can I do to avoid this happening again and what are the government/police force doing to reduce the problem and make these busy, well-lit streets safer for all people at all times of day?
Charles Edward, Glasgow

Glasgow has seen a sharp rise in knife crime against the public, given that we all don't have armed bodyguards in time of threat like Prince William.
What action are you going to take, now, to halt it or are you going to talk about health, education and jobs?
George Laird, Glasgow

Why do prisoners' human rights come before the victims?
For example, sentencing are cut because the European courts says it is an infringement of the prisoners' human rights to say they are a danger to society when clearly they are.
What rights do the public have to be protected against these people?
Shelagh Kirk, Linlithgow

I understand that the Scottish Executive is keen to reduce the amount of exclusions from schools and wish to encourage a positive approach to managing difficult situations.
Could you explain what you feel is an appropriate alternative to exclusion for teachers who have to cope with abusive and potentially violent youngsters?
What resources are being offered to teachers, young people and parents to accommodate this kind of change?
What impact do you think this will have on the young person and is this likely to diminish the role of the Children's Panel?
Why is his executive not more hands on?
Gordon Mulholland, Edinburgh

Education is vital to ensuring a safe future for us all - is consideration being given to providing a better and more beneficial connection between young people, parents and schools? What could this constitute?
Do you see education continuing in its current format for the foreseeable future - will this assist with the prevention of Youth Crime? Would we not be better to consider life skills training instead of subject based education?
Sophy Copland, Aberdeenshire

As a former Labour voter, I'd like to ask the first minister to restore my belief in socialist politics in Scotland by stating publicly why criminals in Scotland, irrespective of their level of crime, are persistently prescribed sentences which do not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offences at hand.
One would think that a murderer would receive a life sentence for murder, a rapist or child abuser chemically castrated, a granny-basher receiving 20 years and so on.
When is he actually going to stop simply just talking a good game and let us see some tangible results?
Is it not the case that the Scottish Executive is more interested in political point scoring?
Malcolm, Dundee

We enjoy a unique system of law in Scotland and he is spectacularly failing to utilise it adequately.
If his party continues with its spineless stance on law and order, then I'd even vote Tory to get them out and see someone else do the job right this time.
By the way first minister, I now vote and campaign vigorously for the SNP, because they at least have the decency to listen to and acknowledge those who don't always agree with their point of view.
Martin McGill, Glasgow

Is it not time that child abusers and paedophiles got tougher sentences to deter them from abusing in the first place and reoffending in the second?
This kind of crime destroys the quality of the victim's life long after the offender gets out. In cases it is a life sentence.
Geraldine James, Edinburgh

Many professionals in social provision believe that crime is inexorably linked with housing, poverty and drugs and that the poor are feeding off each other.
Also a Save The Children report has claimed that it has found staggeringly high levels of child poverty in Scotland.
Is it not the case that the Scottish Executive is more interested in political point scoring amongst its cabinet members by treating the symptoms of crime rather than by eradicating one of its root causes?
Malcolm, Dundee

Societies such as Singapore and Hong Kong have low crime rates and are safe and pleasant places to live. Does Mr McConnell have any plans to learn from societies such as these?
Richard Arnott, Cheltenham

I would plead with the first minister to do more about the drugs problem that is currently blighting this country and the nation as a whole.
More than 50% of all crime is drugs-related and it would appear that dealers seem to be able to peddle their drugs with impunity right under the noses of the police.
Should crimes motivated by hatred be treated differently from other crimes?
Duncan Hothersall, Edinburgh

The police and the courts should put more of an effort into arresting and convicting these people who are rapidly ruining this country and killing many of its inhabitants.
Please act now and get much tougher on the dealers before it is to late for many of our youngsters.
M Delaney, Port Glasgow

Should crimes motivated by hatred, such as homophobic assaults which are very common in Edinburgh, be treated differently from other crimes?
Duncan Hothersall, Edinburgh

Do you think the government is doing enough in treating/helping drug addicts?
David Wood

There are any number of political views on how to effectively tackle crime - almost as many views as there are incidents - with some supporting the zero tolerance concept which has supposedly made a difference in such as New York. A word of caution.
Late last week, the executive announced additional spending in Scotland. That same evening, as MSPs made their way back to their offices, I was waiting to cross the road at the junction of the High Street and the Mound. I was waiting because the pedestrian crossing signal was at red.
A number of our elected members had zero tolerance for the red signals and, offering a fine lead to the many people around at that time, blithely strolled across the road.
This disregard for safety, and the opportunity to lead by example, cut across party lines. Annabel Goldie and Kay Ullrich walked across together, followed by the dashing - literally, to avoid the traffic -
Mike Russell.

The best (worst?) was yet to come. With the lights still at red and most people patiently waiting on the green light, the final transgressor was none other than our very own First Minister, Jack McConnell.
If I understand the concept of zero tolerance correctly, New York's finest would have been handing out jaywalking fines faster than Mike Russell could make it across the High Street.
If our politicians, including the most senior, behave in a manner which suggests that even the most simple codes of conduct don't really apply to them, what signal does this send to those people struggling on a daily basis to live decent lives?
Wladyslaw Mejka, Edinburgh

What action is the executive planning to take to ensure sexual assaults are dealt with adequately by the criminal justice system?
At present just over 8% of reported rapes make it to court so the Sexual Offences Bill will only benefit a very small amount of those who report rape.
What action does the executive propose to take to ensure that prosecution rates increase?
Action is being taken elsewhere, for instance, England and Wales are to have specialist prosecutors and the Metropolitan Police has set up Project Sapphire to look at how these crimes are investigated.
Why is the Scottish criminal justice system so far behind in terms of these types of offences?
Heather Williams, Prestonpans

What can the Scottish Executive do about the growing knife culture in today's society?
I am very aware, having experienced the death of a totally innocent family member, of the growing number of people carrying blades on their person.
Can the Scottish Executive make sure that anyone carrying such weapons are punished, and also, more importantly that the people who attack or murder with such weapons are punished severely and properly?
Only recently we have heard of people walking free from the courts because they have blamed each other!
We could be walking in the same streets as these murderers, but the Scottish Courts have let them go free!
This is a massive and growing problem that must be addressed now.
Lindsey Baldwin, Scotland

Why are you appearing instead of your justice minister? Are you scared he makes another gaff or do you lack confidence in your Lib-Dem partners?
Gwen Ross-Williams, Galashiels

Having had one car stolen, one vandalised and my home broken into three times I treat government statistics that crime is on the way down with the same contempt as hospital waiting lists.
When my car was stolen in East Kilbride it took the police two hours to answer my three 999 calls.
My car was found a week later in Glasgow with the fuel tank empty, ransacked and vandalised. The back seat was defecated on. I almost wished the thief had set it on fire so revolting was the sight.
You don't have to live with youths as young as four starting fires and damaging peoples property
Nicole Ross, Dundee

I still have a mark on my right knee cap from being shot with an air gun as a child by a teenager who was never identified.
Criminal behaviour should be treated for what it is, unacceptable. Many of us have come from not ideal backgrounds but managed to come through.
There should be no excuses and no mercy particularly for crimes of violence.
Bob MacDonald

Dear first minister my question is, what is happening to tackle youth crime as maybe your figures show it isn't that bad.
You don't have to live with youths as young as four starting fires and damaging peoples property.
I am a youth myself but certainly do not go about setting fires and assulting people.
Something must be done as it is youths like myself that are suffering.
Nicole Ross, Dundee

CCTV cameras are not considered the same deterrent as the good old fashioned beat bobby.
Similarly Gatso cameras cannot distinguish between speeders and generally dangerous drivers.
What will you do to prevent these young people from committing crimes when they have so little to occupy them?
L.Seonna Lennon, Dornoch

Where is the logic in continually short changing the police force (disguised as streamlining) in terms of finance and support, to the detriment of the safety of the general public and the operational efficiency of the force.
The justice system affords no support to those officers carrying out their duties.
Punishments must fit crimes and must become deterrents rather than badges of honour worn by the criminals.
Andrew Carnochan, Kilmarnock

First minister, you said you would cut crime in Scotland. But there was no action, why?
Rachael Rattray, Musselburgh

In a small town like Dornoch, there are no facilities for young people. What will you do to prevent these young people from committing crimes when they have so little to occupy them?
L.Seonna Lennon, Dornoch

We need more police officers on the street. We are told we have record numbers but the reality is that there are less on the frontline.
Many are absorbed by departments necessitated by the additional responsibilities and business foisted on the police.
Furthermore, any increase in resources takes two years to come through because trainee probationer constables can't go out on their own.
If the public want more police officers then Mr mcConnell and Mr Kerr will need to open the purse-strings and increase the numbers of police on the street.
David Hamilton, Rathillet, Fife

I think all police should have guns, plus I think plain clothes officers should be used to catch these losers on the street corners because the white cars with reflection signs are easily spotted and the neds get away easily.
Also, CCTV could be really helpful to keep an eye on anyone who needs to walk past these gangs.
Richard, Lanarkshire


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