So David Blunkett is urging magistrates not to give custodial sentences to thieves and fraudsters.

Could this be the same man who was to get tough on crime?

Offenders must be laughing all the way to their next blag.

Has Mr Blunkett thought of the victims? His one concern, as always, is to balance the prison service books at the expense of the poor old Joe Public.

-Mike Venour, Southon Close, Mile Oak