Isobel Barnett, a prominent figure in Scots television and radio, was only 62 when she took her own life by overdosing on painkillers in her bathtub in 1980. This tragic event occurred just mere days after she was found guilty of stealing a tin of tuna and carton of milk from the local grocer in Cossington, Leicestershire. Barnett was judged harshly by the public, facing a £75 fine while simultaneously dealing with an onslaught of public criticism. The combination of profound depression and humiliation was too much for her to endure, triggering an all too familiar emotional response to wrongdoing – shame.
Shame seems to be a relatively forgotten emotion, particularly within the more systemic criminal organizations that are currently causing extensive damage in residential and commercial areas nationwide. Barnett’s deteriorated mental health resulted in her theft serving as a distress signal rather than a malicious act, highlighting the argument that her prosecution was perhaps misplaced. Yet, times have changed drastically over the past five decades, with attitudes towards thievery evolving to such an extent that it is now viewed with negligible concern.
Paul Birch, a tech entrepreneur known for founding Bebo, had valuable items amounting to £500k taken from his home in Surrey. Birch reported a significantly delayed response time from the police and their apparent disinterest in examining the available CCTV footage. His spouse, Juliana, revealed further unresponsiveness on part of the police, who failed to follow up on their case after the officer in charge went on vacation.
“We contacted the police multiple times only to discover the case had already been closed,” she shared. “These unfortunate circumstances suggest a police force more inclined to protect culprits rather than the individuals targeted by such crimes.”
Paige Mengers, who owns a pair of luxurious fashion boutiques in Wimbledon and Cobham, Surrey, invested a significant sum in installing security measures, like CCTV cameras, panic buttons linked to the nearest police station, and anti-theft devices. However, despite possessing vivid images of the perpetrators, fingerprint evidence, firsthand eyewitness accounts, and a photograph of the suspects’ vehicle, Mengers’ case was dismissed by the authorities due to its classification as shoplifting rather than an outright robbery.
The current surge in notorious theft cases creates an urgent demand for effective law enforcement and significant punitive measures to deter the offenders. Unless prioritized, this escalating issue threatens to worsen exponentially.
Criticizing the law enforcement’s lack of proper action in dealing with these crimes, one of the victims passionately called out the injustice. “It’s all a sham,” he expressed frustratedly or angrily. “Even when confronted with the thief who was caught in the act, they simply let him off. Despite aiding them with most of the work, their negligence persists.”
The accounts aforementioned were only a few among the numerous cases brought into the public eye within a span of a week. This poses the question – how many more have been overlooked or simply unreported?
Moreover, it would be remiss not to mention the growing concerns among supermarket managers nationwide, who acknowledge that incidences of brazen shoplifting have become a regular part of daily activities, and yet, legal consequences seem nonexistent. The booming illicit trade of stolen vehicles and apparent lack of police interest contribute further to the growing concern, as they extend their focus merely to providing insurance claim numbers.
Lastly, the surge in online financial fraud adds another layer to the problem, sharpening the need for a comprehensive approach to catch perpetrators and protect potential victims. The question arises – where does it go from here?