Following the revelation that many of the recent rioters had criminal records, there have been the usual annual expressions of dismay regarding re-offending.
Education and rehabilitation measures are called for, but surely punishment has an educational and a rehabilitation component?
Offenders would learn not to re-offend if their punishment were severe enough and the possibility of being caught more of a certainty.
But punishment is being watered down and the means of detection, which is our policemen and women, are being sacked.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here