For some things, they should bring back flogging..

This may stir things up....

It is a common mistake to assume that victims and offenders are completely distinct from one another. Our adversarial criminal justice system sets the offenders advocate (the defence) against the victim’s (or the states) representative in the form of a prosecutor. This model of criminal justice then creates a tension between the interests of the victim and the rights of the offender, many discussions and policy making decisions are then based on the premise that the interests of a victim and those of the offender are always diametrically and automatically opposed.

One of the major developments in criminal justice over the last thirty years is the increasing recognition of the rights and needs of the victims of crime. In recent years it would appear that restorative justice is emerging as an increasingly important (but expensive) element in mainstream criminological practice when discussing the rights, needs and the role of the victim within the judicial system.

In broad and simple terms, restorative justice signifies those measures that are designed to give victims of crime an opportunity to tell the offender about the impact of the offending on them and their families. It is also used to encourage offenders to accept responsibility for, and to repair the harm they have caused. Its general aims are to reduce re-offending, to restore the relationship between the victim and the offender that was disturbed by the offence, and to improve the victim’s experiences within the criminal justice process.

More importantly it is an attempt to involve, include and listen to the victim’s account of events through the use of direct and indirect mediation. The victim is therefore empowered and included in the judicial process through the use of dialogue with the offender. Both parties are encouraged to explore the offence; questions can be posed in order to facilitate a mutual understanding of the impact the crime has had. The offender is given the opportunity to explore the aftermath of his or her actions by being introduced to the victim.

That said, I would still flog the man responsible for the desecration of a war memorial, sometimes the public simply want revenge and retribution and I am human too....

I actually like that approach. I know some will see it as being weak or liberal, but it has to better than locking someone up for a set period and that's it, then letting them out at the end and wondering why they did it again.

For a 29 year old to think it's ok to vandalise gravestone shows something missing in his thought process and understanding. Regardless if mummy didn't love him enough as a child, or Dad knocked him around, as an adult, if the penny finally drops that it is wrong and somehow his remorse button is switched on, then great stuff, if it's possible. Otherwise chop his hands off and satisfy my primeval thirst for justice

I'm new to this forum so catching up on all the threads.  This is one of many that will cause me to rant.  Having worked closely with the military for the past 11 years (until I was made redundant end 2015), I have a different perspective on how they are treated.  

Everyone committing acts of vandalism such as this and assaulting veterans should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves!  Instead of The Gurkhas cleaning up for the Queen, get these disrespectful idiots out on the streets and show them the meaning of respect.  Don't suggest putting them in the Army by way of national service, they are not wanted.

Hi Julia, rant away!

In this thread you've got an ex squaddie, ex RAF and Ray who works in the Prison Service, so you're in good company

I'm still a fan of flogging, but I don't think it's very PC these days 

Hi Steve

Yes, am in good company.  Had pleasure, for two years, of sitting opposite Colonel who took Philip Hammond to task about Fusiliers cuts.  He was the one whose comment I used above, about putting petty criminals in the Army.  Also saw Michael Mosley's programme about how USA treats its veterans, especially prosthetic limb provision.  Our friends across the pond aren't perfect but they certainly do a lot for their military past and present.

I too can be very un-PC, so it's good to know your audience!

Good to know we have another defender of common-sense.

Its all too easy these days to give a defense of, bad upbringing etc but IMHO nothing excuses such narrow minded needless vandalism.

I understand theft (dont agree with it obviously) as you can sell the stolen goods to feed drug habits or even food or the family but what does vandalism get you?

Vandalism gets you noticed, it ads to your reputation for defiance and fearless attitudes toward society and the law. it can give you an identity in a world that lacks opportunity whilst attacking the wealth of those that you envy the most.

Vandalism and anti-social behaviour is a symptom of our modern world, we foster and develop enclaves of undisciplined, uneducated angry young men who simply want to destroy anything and everything. We then lock them up for very brief periods of time. That experience simply adding to the problem. 

Whats the answer? Ownership, the individual must understand the consequences of his or her actions on others. In some cases they should make direct reparation, however it is essential they are  held to account by the victim and judicial process before being accepted back in to society. Restorative justice is better than simply Branding them as criminals. It is also cheaper.

that said, the natural and automatic response to vandalism from most people ( me included) would be to slap the crap out of the cheeky little  Gits. 

I agree with Ray that perhaps locking them up isnt the answer. 

Stocks first (sorry, we have to get that barbaric urge out the way first) then hard labour making good their damage.

Or make them work unpaid to pay back any damage that they cannot repair, say for example the 5 foot long scratch along the side of my car - probably at least £1000 of damage! Ohh i'd leave a few dozen eggs outside to rot nicely, douse the little ba***rds in them first, then make 'um work until their fingers bled or they couldn't stand because their backs ache .......

Ok just ranting now 

All i can say is its a disgrace,i was never brought up to even think about doing this. These days a warning seems to be the way forward, not the barbarick defacing of these should be taken lightly and i hope someone knows who did this and reacts in a way i would,

whoever did this needs to take a good look at there self and go clean them,my parents would have killed me. utter disgrace