NEWS of Boris Johnson’s “tough on crime” stance has certainly been met with different responses.

It is clear more needs to be done to tackle criminals in Brighton, especially with news of Tobias Denyer receiving a paltry £50 compensation fee after he was convicted of vandalism.

The fact it will take him 15 years to pay off his existing court fines shows the system is not working to deter him.

At some point, something needs to be done, but we must remember being “tough on crime” in the sense of harsh sentences and a bigger police presence does not always work.

Certainly there are some who deserve worse punishments than they are given and more

bobbies on the beat can deter criminals and make residents feel safer.

But this approach must be coupled with proper measures to address the causes of crime, whether it is poverty, boredom, or a lack of opportunity.

Crime must be nipped in the bud, which means ensuring children and young people do not fall in with the wrong crowd.

This is why cuts to councils have been so devastating to Sussex – they are essential for funding to community groups that support children at risk and help them learn a new skill or put their minds to something productive.

Ensuring young people have plenty to do in a safe social environment, as well as the right opportunities to grow and learn, could be a huge blow to crime in Brighton.

There are those who need to be dealt with harshly, sure – but we should aim to deal with the problem before it gets to that point.