The political left blames theiving upon economic deprivation, exclusion, and lack of opportunities – whilst the right blames innate cultural traits and the “presence” of non-White populations in historically “White” areas. Crime tends to be higher in poorer communities of every skin-colour – according to statistics – and is a response to poverty rather than an “innate” cultural habit. Ethnic groups, if economically deprived, tend to be centred in certain (underdeveloped) areas – hence the apparwnt correlation between “ethnicity” and “behaviour”. Crime is in fact just as high in entirely “White” areas of poverty – but the media tends to ignore this reality just in case the government is “forced” to do something about it. As a Buddhist, I believe that the poorer we are – the better we should behave – but when hungry, people are forced into all kinds of anti-social behaviours. Of course, I am not saying UK society is “just” – far from it. I have carried the Red Flag through the streets – risking arrest – in protest of this inequality. Finally, insurance usually prevents retailers sustaining any real financial losses – so these closures must be because the insurance companies refuse to cover the liability due to the extent of the thieving.
