General Chat

At least 6 poppy collecting boxes have been stolen from shop counters in Gloucester. One from the Armed forces office. I know we shouldn't have to do it but why don't people secure these boxes and tins with a chain. And, if they are caught, I wonder what sentence they will receive? What would you suggest (Keep within T&Cs please).

its disguting isnt it, some low lives in this world sadly, :( x

Ann,

These are the most despicable of crimes.

I would suggest they be given a spell of 'boot camp' being trained to be better citizens, with instruction by some good old fashioned Sgt Majors from one of the Guards Regiments or Royal Marines, or a Warrant Officer from the RAF Regiment. They would know then what hard work is. A spell of community service would not be appropriate.

Elisabeth xx

some people should be so ashamed

Given that most of them will have already sunk very low, as ( just assuming I don't actually know) they will want the money for drugs, I don't think they are capable of feeling shame. Yes Elisabeth, I like your answer.

Boot camp but they will probably, if caught, get a smacked wrist. Disgusting.

Send them to "Iran" they get their hand/hands chopped off for stealing.**M**.

Putting locks or chains it no deterent,they have been known to carry things to cut them.**M**.

One suggestion to safeguard the money (in the e mail response in the paper) is for the poppies to actually be sold, the money to go through the tills and the shops to pay out to RBL by credit transfer or something.

It is indeed a sad country Ann.

The sad thing being ...................... what we do with these sort of people when they are caught !

If the police do just happen to find the culprit(s) then it is virtually guaranteed that they will come up with a variety of hard luck excuses which forced them into these demeaning acts that they highly regretted having to do and that a vast array of other people were responsible for their plight ........... i.e. social services, police, schools, health authorities, housing authorities, government foreign policy, you name it !

In fact .......................... anyone but themselves !!!

And what will the Magistrate do ?



You've guessed it ..................................... Nothing !

Apart, that is, from writing to numerous authorities recommending highly expensive inquiries into their policies, procedures etc, etc. Which will, of course, be readily undertaken.

And if Joe Public is really unlucky then this poor unfortunate culprit will go off to the European Court of Human Rights seeking suitable compensation from all those involved in his/her social downfall.

And boy ................... will we be in for a pasting then !

A sad country indeed.


PS
I like Merlin's suggestion

I think, for what it is worth, that people who are caught stealing Poppy Boxes should, as a punishment, have to visit a hospital and rehabilitation centre, to see for themselves exactly who they are stealing from! Then perhaps, when they see the appalling injuries and disabilities suffered by our Service personel they would hang their heads in shame.

Brilliant idea !
I remember last year boxes were stolen from a lot of petrol stations.There are some very sick people about.

Hi Ann I think its the same every where these days weve had the same amount taken in peterborough even one take from the magistrates court
{scum of the the earth thats what I call them} Jean.

This is what happens when people are not expected to work for a living. They will get money any way they can, rgardless of whom it hurts.

Absolutely despicable.
Send them to Afghanistan so they can witness first hand what life for our brave servicemen is really like.
The courts are always far too lenient with this type of crime.
Maybe they should spend time at a services rehab facility as part of community service to see the pain and suffering our dreadfully injured soldiers have to go through.

Then again they obviously have no shame so maybe Merlin has the right idea.

Cath xx

Before I start saying what I'm about to say - for the record, I quite agree that stealing from any collection box is despicable. Like most people on here, I've got family who are/were fighting for this country.

Where I differ from some of you, though, is that I don't see how stiffer prison sentences (with or without the much-discussed xboxes, plasma televisions etc) will be effective.

I very much doubt that people who do this ever give a thought to being caught - and I can't imagine for one minute that they think "it'll be alright, someone will give me a playstation".

Much the better option, as some have suggested, is that they should have to visit a hospital and rehabilitation centre, to see for themselves exactly who they are stealing from

Sue x