Vocal Voices

So, according to our local BBC news tonight, the police in Stoke-on-Trent have been handing out food-bank vouchers to people they have caught shoplifting for food.

And here's the Daily Express's article on it:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/421209 ... -as-reward

What do you think - is it simply a reward for criminal behaviour which might put you off donating, or is it an acceptable form of charity in these modern times?

I saw that on Breakfast this morning. Even locally there are foodbanks saying that people are only stealing from shops to get food that they can't afford.
There are plenty of arguments that you shouldn't need to steal and should be able to budget, but if this is genuine then those people need help and educating.
Plus the benefit reforms do seem to have had quite an impact, so some people, who were just about able to manage, suddenly have a drastically reduced or no income at all

It is a tricky dilemma. Of course stealing is wrong and theoretically you should be able to feed your children on benefits - I was on them once and my child didn't go without - but would I steal food if my children were hungry? Well I think most mothers will know the answer to that one

I think that in most cases these people need educating.

Some one needs to ask them how much they spend on non-essentials like tobacco,
booze , junk food, etc., and need to be given guidance on sensible shopping.

I understand that the food vouchers were provided by a charity. That may be all-right,
but for the Police to hand them out gives entirely the wrong message, But, of course,
our police generally think it is more important to make friends with the public, rather
than doing the job they are paid to do, i.e., enforcing the law.

This has been suspended after the police and crime commissioner intervened.

Staffordshire PCC Matthew Ellis said it was "absolutely not acceptable" for it to appear criminals were being rewarded for stealing.

He said he had suspended the scheme immediately and ordered a review.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-st ... e-23654802

i can remember when bill was on the dole once boys were 12 /14 ish
it was only for a few weeks
but it was hard but we never starved
they wernt always the good old days
todays bennifit people still have big tvs and all the gadgets
before cleanning decorating and food
im o