COMMENT: Break the cycle of crime (From thisisoxfordshire)

COMMENT: Break the cycle of crime

9:00am Monday 6th September 2010 in News

POLICE fear thieves as young as seven are out on the streets of Oxford, stealing cars.

It is thought trainee villains are being mentored by hardened criminals, who operate without a thought for the safety of their young apprentices.

All car theft is a concern. Not only does it cause horrendous nuisance to motorists, but it also hammers drivers’ insurance premiums and serves to raise communities’ fear of crime. And while the thieves deserve little sympathy, they are putting themselves – as well as other road users – at risk of serious injury and death, by reckless driving.

The fact that children so young could be involved is a startling revelation and a sad indictment on our society.

One can only wonder what kind of families these youngsters come from, and fear at how these children are going to turn out when they get older. Rather than a bright future, the sad fact is many face lives in and out of young offenders’ institutes and prisons.

We must find a way of breaking the cycle of crime – before it is too late.