Read Anne Marie’s views in her weekly column; an advertisement sponsored by Conservative supporters.

Let the punishment fit the crime

It often seems that justice isn’t done. Take the example of Lockerbie bomber who killed 270 people, yet only served 8 and half years – the decision to release him was ludicrous and it should never have been made – and carrying a knife should be an offence for which people will automatically go to jail.

Part of the reason that the punishment seldom fits the crime is the lack of prison places, which has meant that it’s often impossible to send people to jail. Currently those criminals who are sent to prison are often released after serving half their sentence, with half reoffending within one year of their release. To combat this we need more prison places – and better rehabilitation programs so that there’s less reoffending when prisoners are released.

A right to defend yourself

A national paper recently started a campaign to ensure that people who injure burglars in their own home should not be prosecuted. This is a campaign I am happy to back.
Recently, a man who fought off a knife-wielding burglar who had tied up his family and threatened them with a knife in order to find their valuables was jailed for 30 months. This can’t be allowed to continue and householders should be protected from jail in situations where they have used reasonable force to protect themselves and their belongings.

Back on the beat

I recently met up with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling to talk to Inspector Chris Shaw in Teignmouth and go on the beat with two local constables. It was interesting to hear about the ways that the police in Teignmouth have brought down anti-social behaviour in the town and how police officers think we may be able to help them better fight crime and anti-social behaviour. One thing that is certain is that police officers want to be, and need to be, on the beat more. At present they are burdened with so much paperwork and red tape that they often find it impossible. Making an arrest can often see the police officer involved waiting in the station for a CPS lawyer to arrive, often for hours, reducing the time he can spend on the beat.

Curbing antisocial behaviour

A lot of antisocial behavior goes unreported because people fear that the police are powerless to act. Whilst young troublemakers should be punished, prevention is crucial. It’s important to build on the hard work of the police by making sure that they have more powers to intervene early to stop teenagers causing trouble. Small actions like reducing pub and club opening hours and doubling the maximum fines for those caught repeatedly selling alcohol to children to £20,000 would have a lasting effect.