Express & Star

Star comment: Failures are leading to bloodshed

The past weekend has seen two more murders in the Black Country.

Published

There has now been 10 murders across the region in 2017, meaning we are on course to for the bloodiest year on our streets for some time.

What more evidence do those in power need that there is little deterrent in our criminal justice system to prevent serious crimes from taking place?

This comes on top of recent figures showing a huge increase in crime in the West Midlands, with violent crimes – particularly incidents involving the use of knives – seemingly spiralling out of control.

The police can only do so much, but it is not enough for Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson and Chief Constable Dave Thompson to point the finger at government funding.

The problems lie much deeper than that. Whether the issues arise from police tactics, the softly, softly approach, a lack of resources or a reduction in the number of frontline officers, we have now reached the point where urgent action is required.

Whatever they are doing at the moment is clearly not working. The cost of each murder is a tragedy, not only for the victim and the victim’s family, but also for the loved ones of the perpetrator. If unchecked, low level crime invariably leads to more serious crime.

Introducing the short, sharp, shock approach, particularly for young offenders, would hopefully snap them out of the criminal lifestyle before it truly takes hold.

Sadly, this is not in the mindset of our liberal establishment, which has allowed young offenders’ institutions to become little more than youth clubs with bars, and prisons to become closed shop wings of drug networks.

The consequence of all of this is the rising murder rate and soaring levels of crime. Prisons should be a deterrent first and foremost and a rehabilitation unit secondly.

The thought of going to jail for a long time should put the fear of God into anyone taking to the streets for a night out with a knife tucked away in an inside pocket.

Unfortunately, there is very little deterrent for violent crime.

The price for such institutional failure is now being paid in blood on the streets of the West Midlands.

All of those concerned should hang their heads in shame.

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