My faith in the system and courts dealing with issues like this are pretty much non existent. Just a couple of examples from a long list for you.
Front door of the building where I work. heavy wooden victorian type with panels got kicked through by two yobs. Police picked them up after I had detained them long enogh for the police to get there. Both arrested and taken into custody. The following morning i get a phone call from the police to say that the two individuals would pay for the damage if I dropped the charges ! Not a chance was my reply otherwise they can do exactly the same next week and have nothing on their record as previous. They were charged with drunk and disorderly fined £60 each and let out the following day. I had to pay the costs of the door repair myself. Police up £120 me down £££'s
Another occasion someone clearly out of their mind on drugs and alcohol tried to assault me. Police turned up quickly and mob handed to be fair to them. This was a known person to them. After a fracas outside between this character and the police he was arrested and taken away. Job done you may think.
Nope they drove him 6 miles away and released him. 45 minutes later he was back on my doorstep again.
One of the MP's about 18 months ago was stood on his soap box saying the public should intervene if they see any crime taking place. I have to do it from time to time but I wouldn't suggest anyone does as there is no guarantee your going to get police support quickly. Just goes to show how far out of touch with reality some people are.
What do I think Aston martin man will get for a blatant act of criminal damage and vandalism ? A nights B&B slap on the wrist. small fine of £60 to £100 and if it ever went to court then possibly a driver awareness course for good measure.
Aston Martin owner on the other hand will end up with a £9K bill or a heafty insurance claim and potential increase in his premium.
I'm not knocking the police and what they do. They are under funded, under pressure and under staffed. That means that they don't have enough time to deal with all cases as they should be. They also know that if some things go to court then its a long costly time consuming process that ultimately may end in a slap on the wrist and don't do it again as the prisions are already full.
Until such a time that the system and courts hand out consistant hefty punishments for all crimes then we all end up having to put up with a level of crime that is deemed as acceptable by the powers that be.
Rant over