Chosen it as an easier way of life

WESTON shopkeeper Councillor Mark Canniford is calling on fellow traders to start putting Shoplifters of the Week posters in their windows to name and shame criminals. The reason why a knife wielding thief stole cash from a pregnant lady and threatened Mr Canniford in his store is because many criminals have chosen it as an easier way of life. Why work if you can live off what others have earned, seems to be their philosophy. Muggers know the average victim will hand over his or her money without a struggle. With the odds against being caught and sent to prison so great, for them crime does pay. Is there any hope that the police will master the situations? They will tell us, with the law often weighted in favour of the rights of the criminal and with the understaffing of police forces, there is little headway they can make against the avalanche of crime.Thugs choose the time and place that best suits them to attack and I'm sure the way Mark Canniford is striking while the iron is hot is the best way of nipping this problem in the bud.D F COURTNEY - Victoria Park, Weston