Penalty must fit the Crime says Middlewich Campaigner

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 14th Jul 2006

Dr Peter Hirst, active Libdem campaigner in Middlewich has called for constant review in the UK legal system to ensure that punishment matches the crime and outdated laws are dropped.

Letter printed in the Middlewich Guardian, 12 July 2006:

Dear Sir,

I enjoyed reading the letter in last week's issue by ASBO (P25 June 28th) concerning respect and enforcement of the law.

It is not easy getting the right balance between the need for laws, their enforcement and what society can reasonably expect of its citizens. Laws by their very nature apply to everyone and in a diverse society with a high degree of freedom you are never going to satisfy everyone.

In a perfect world everyone would see the need for certain restrictions on freedom and there would be no need for laws. It is our neglect of being aware of and taking into account the possible effects of our actions on others that leads to the need for so many of our regulations. Litter is a good example as are observing the speed limits and parking restrictions.

Enforcement requires resources and there is a limit to what the police and council staff can do, taking into account their other responsibilities. Encouraging citizens to report wrong doers is one solution though it does change the sort of society we become if it is widespread, quite apart from the difficulties of proving the offence took place. A large part of the solution lies in preventing the action in the first place by improving citizen education in our schools, clubs and organisations.

Ultimately the type of society we have depends on our actions and to a large extent our criminal justice system reflects that. It is therefore incumbent on all of us to act as exemplary role models in all we say and do. It is also vital that all our laws and the punishments that they incur are constantly reviewed to ensure that unnecessary ones are removed and that the penalty fits the crime as otherwise the whole system falls into disrepute.

The amount of resources used in enforcing our laws is a value judgement and is one of the main benefits, in my opinion, of more consultation with us about our priorities, at least regarding the less serious offences.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Hirst

Rushton Drive

Middlewich