Why Be Tough On Holidaymakers But So Soft On Crime?

In the fight against Covid, the Government now boasts it is on the warpath against irresponsible travellers. Bristling with determination, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned this week of severe punishments for UK arrivals who lie about their journeys from abroad.

- Leo McKinstry

According to his plan, a false declaration could result in a huge £10,000 fine or even a jail sentence of up to 10 years.

“People who flout the rules are putting all of us at risk,” said Hancock, justifying the severe policy.

Some members of the public might agree. Yet this draconian measure prompts the fundamental question: if the Government believes such a ruthless approach will deter deception by holidaymakers, why is that logic not applied more widely to tackle genuine, dangerous criminals?

The truth is, while ministers trumpet toughness on form-filling, they preside over an enfeebled justice system that has become the softest of touches.

They proclaim their commitment to protect us from the virus, but miserably fail to protect us from crime. They want to see falsehoods about travel penalised by a decade behind bars, but show no resolve to see the same penal vigour consistently imposed for sex assaults or violence or repeat burglaries.

In contradiction of Hancock’s authoritative pose, the enforcement of the law has been drastically weakened in recent years.

FROM THE police to the courts, agencies of the state have lost their moral compass, showing far more concern for the rights of offenders than their victims.