Deprivation is no justification for riots

It is depressing, if not alarming, that so many media commentators over the weekend have offered defence for the vandals and looters who turned English cities into battlegrounds last week.

Mobs of organised thieves stealing luxury goods and, more worryingly, starting fires, without any regard for human lives, surely cannot be given the usual kid-glove treatment, but anyone suggesting harsher penalties for the criminals was immediately shot down, because the reasons for this behaviour are seemingly “deprivation” and the fact that “the kids have nothing to do”, although we all saw that the rioters were not exclusively children.

How, then, do they explain the fact that during the Great Depression of the 1930s, when many had nothing to eat, never mind nothing to do, they still maintained their dignity and discipline and somehow got through it? To those who speak of “deprivation” today, just imagine this society with a higher level of unemployment and without a National Health Service or benefit payments system and you might get some idea.

“Respect” is a word that is much used today, a quality that is seldom witnessed, but is a key part of the solution to repairing the breakdown of society. It existed in the days before disciplinary powers were stripped from teachers, police officers and courts; in the days when parents knew it was their duty to guide, protect and, when necessary, punish their children.

Just because the “old ways” were old it doesn’t mean they were wrong; they worked, in that it was a lot safer in this country 50 years ago than it is now.

Ironically, the “leniency lobby”, in seeking to protect, has done the most harm of all. Surely we must now admit that we gave the “softly, softly” approach a good try, but it didn’t work.

Walter J Allan

Colinton Mains Drive

Edinburgh

In the aftermath of the troubles in England, there have been many suggestions about the causes of the riots.

The focus of attention has been on socio-economic problems, marriage/family breakdown, law enforcement, education, employment and justice systems.

Internal behaviour issues such as selfishness and a lack of morality and respect have also been observed. But where does our sense of morality and significance come from?

If we are spiritual beings contained in a physical body, could it be that something fundamental in our spirits needs reviving?

Over the past decades many have turned away from seeking God and have worshipped other things. Could it be that we need to return to our Christian roots to see real change in this country?

Douglas Black

Stoneybank

Musselburgh

It is rather shameful of the perennial scourge of the Nats, Alexander McKay (Letters 12 August), to accuse the First Minister of having no thought for the victims of the shocking riots in England.

I have heard Mr Salmond express his, and the government’s, heartfelt sympathy and willingness to offer any assistance required.

It is clear that this madness will cast a long shadow over the Olympics. Indeed London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, and Prime Minister David Cameron should consider postponing or cancelling them.

The facilities (paid for by the whole of Britain) remain, and does it really matter if the (obscenely expensive) four-year cycle is disrupted when London is unstable and – to put running and jumping into perspective – thousands of children are dying of hunger and disease in the Horn of Africa?

If there is any “bright side” to the aftermath of the riots, it may be that we will hear much less about how foolish the Scots would be to split off from the United Kingdom, and the blessings of London rule.

David Roche

Forest Way

Blairgowrie

It is alarming that David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Theresa May appear to think that they are exercising leadership when they scold the police and make off-the-cuff statements on the causes of the riots.

This may be due to their lack of military experience but they should know that leadership consists of persuading and inspiring people to risk themselves, and sometimes their lives, doing things they would rather not be doing.

It also involves providing the proper back-up and organisation to allow them to achieve the leaders’ objectives. One wonders who their role model could possibly be!

Frank Donald

Tantallon Place

Edinburgh