Metropolitan Police Chief Sir Ian Blair's call for a national debate on the kind of policing we want to see in Britain should be applauded and heeded.

It is time for the country to decide what it expects of the police and for politicians to ensure those wishes are put in place.

But the debate needs to be extended to include not only the police, but the whole criminal justice process.

Starting with the police, another point Sir Ian made which rang true was his comment that the demands upon the police are increasing. He rightly made the point that social peacekeepers such as parkies, bus conductors and caretakers have all but disappeared, leading to a rise in anti-social behaviour.

I think one of the problems is that some police officers do not seem to realise that tackling anti-social behaviour is their responsibility. If they haven't had this impressed upon them it is down to poor leadership. That must change.

In his address, Sir Ian said: "Every lesson of every police inquiry is that, not only the issues that give rise to anti-social behaviour, but also those that give rise to criminal activity and to terrorism, begin at the most local level.''

Absolutely spot on. People don't generally just become muggers or burglars. They start off with anti-social behaviour or low level crime and when the message doesn't get through that this is unacceptable they progress up the ladder.

Unfortunately, sometimes when the police catch a criminal they, and the public, are badly let down by the courts.

There are two cornerstones of our justice system that have to be preserved. Firstly, that every person is the same in the eyes of the law and, secondly, that justice must be seen to be done.

In the case of the Bolton footballer El Hadj Diouf, people will understandably question whether these fundamentals apply to the rich and famous. Diouf admitted spitting over a young spectator during a game at the Riverside. In the past he has admitted committing a similar offence against a Celtic fan.

To my mind, the people worthy of most consideration throughout the justice process are the victims. In the case of El Hadj Diouf, the 11-year-old victim is the one shown least regard by the court.

He has received no apology from Diouf and neither the boy nor his family were given any opportunity to attend sentencing, and the court did not ask their views.

The District Judge who presided over the case could have insisted Diouf appear in person and asked him directly whether he had anything to say to the victim. Certainly the judge could have ordered that some compensation be paid.

Remember, this was a repeat offence. A suspended sentence or community service order might have made Diouf think twice before he considers spitting at a fan again.

None of this was done. The court appears to have bent over backwards to accommodate the criminal whilst showing no regard for the victim.

I support Sir Ian's call for a national debate on the policing we want for the future but I'd like to see it extended to the whole criminal justice system. It should start from the basis that the victim's rights take priority over the criminal's.

Published: 18/11/2005