In the aftermath of the riots, people are angry.
They want revenge against the people who tore away that sense of community and protection that society usually provides, leaving them feeling terrified, vulnerable, and betrayed.
Now they’re demanding justice by cutting off the benefits of convicted rioters, and evicting them from their council houses. Why, they argue, should these people enjoy the perks of a society they have just kicked in the teeth, and razed to the ground?
And they’re right. To be part of a society you need to contribute somehow – if not financially, then, at the very least, by following its rules.
It’s a completely understandable, and justifiable reaction. People’s lives have been devastated. At best, their sense of security has been destroyed. At worst, their homes, their livelihoods, and – most tragically – their lives taken. The guilty must be held accountable.
But we need to make sure that, by fixing one problem, we’re not creating a bigger one.
If these people have their benefits and housing taken away, (and, believe me, it makes me sick to think that a single penny of my taxes might end up in their pockets) where do you think they’re going to get the money to survive?
Do we imagine that they’ll all suddenly clean up their acts, and find jobs that enable them to afford private rentals? Or maybe they’ll pool their resources to buy a huge plot of land, plant vegetable patches, raise free-range chickens, build solar-powered homes from recycled timber, and live completely self-sufficiently?
I’m sure these measures would be the ‘kick up the backside’ for some people to find themselves a job, and make a good, old-fashioned, honest living. But I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s not the most likely scenario.
So how long do you think it will be until we see a huge spike in crime – muggings, burglaries, theft, drug dealing – as dog-eat-dog survival instincts kick in, and the homeless and penniless try to survive any way that they can. They’ve got nothing more to lose.
Send them to prison! Some people will argue. But then we’re still paying for their food and board, and we run the risk they’ll come out harder, angrier, and with a whole new set of criminal skills they can’t wait to try out. I’m not saying prison sentences aren’t justified in some cases – they are – but it’s not a blanket solution.
I’m so glad to hear you say this. I have a similar post discussing the subject over at my Pond Parleys blog (http://pondparleys.blogspot.com)
Yes, these people are the scum of the earth but stripping them of their benefits will create more problems than it solves, not to mention another level of bureaucracy the country doesn’t need.
Also – if rioters and looters get their benefits taken away, what about all the other people convicted of theft, robbery, assault and battery. Where would it end.
It’s just a knee jerk reaction by very angry (and rightly so) people, but it has no teeth.
You can understand why people want their pound of flesh, but it’s like cutting off your nose to spite your face, isn’t it??? Off to read your post now!! x
I agree on the benefits and I hate that we are now paying for these reprobates to be in prison but I reckon there would probably be a phase 2 if they hadn’t been sent there. One of the big reasons so many got involved is that they thought no one could touch them. Well 700+ of them have now been touched. I hope it works as a deterant.