No simple solutions within the aftermath of Southport | Southport assault

Gaby Hinsliff (Axel Rudakubana walked a protracted path to homicide. At what level might he have been stopped?, 24 January) and your editorial (23 January) ask the query that arises when anyone commits an act that causes us deep misery: “What can we do to forestall this from occurring once more?” The life like reply, sadly, is “nothing”, as a result of such obscene acts will not be manageable by social care, policing or state intervention. There are very darkish locations lurking in some human beings, and there are not any insurance policies or interventions that may eradicate them. Happily, such acts are extraordinarily uncommon.

The legislation can not allow “preventive detention”, or punishment earlier than the crime. Numerous persons are strolling round with sociopathic, psychopathic and disturbing character traits. Till they commit a criminal offense, they can not have their liberties curtailed. An inquiry would possibly assist, although there’s a threat that, as ever in ethical panics, socially dangerous will increase within the energy of state companies will penalise vital numbers of people that would do no hurt.

Keir Starmer’s reference to “loners” and “misfits” stigmatises the legions of introverts and shy adolescents who’re responsible of nothing greater than a character which frequently burdens them with loneliness. What number of will likely be susceptible to legal suspicion and maybe shaming sanctions if the state assumes elevated powers of surveillance and intervention?
Stephen Smith
Glasgow

Samira Shackle (It’s simple to label violence just like the Southport assault as terrorism. I’m afraid the reality is extra advanced, 23 January) is true to query the knowledge of redefining terrorism to incorporate offenders like Axel Rudakubana.

What I discover incongruous is the reference to violent assaults on communities after the Southport assaults as merely “riots”. Absolutely terrorists is a extra correct descriptor for rightwing activists who fuelled and took part in these assaults. In contrast to Rudakubana, they’ve a clearly articulated political ideology.

What ought to be on the forefront of debate is the state of our psychological well being providers, that are buckling beneath the pressures of elevated demand and lowered sources.

Underneath the Psychological Well being Act, folks can’t be sectioned except there’s a mattress accessible. With mattress shortages, we might discover folks deemed harmful however nonetheless in the neighborhood as professionals look ahead to a mattress. The kids’s commissioner revealed final March that greater than 270,000 kids who had been referred to psychological well being providers have been nonetheless ready for help.

Given the Stop programme’s remit, it’s rational to say that it was not the suitable approach to answer the hazard posed by Rudakubana. It’s irrational, however presumably politically expedient, to redefine terrorism as a response when psychological well being providers ought to be the main focus of consideration.
Invoice Nightingale
Leyland, Lancashire

It’s apparent what the Southport inquiry will reveal. Each organisation and company that engaged with him will present frontline employees beneath strain to cut back ready instances and backlogs whereas grappling with extreme underfunding and employees shortages.

Senior managers could have been merely taking a look at whether or not this particular person met their standards or whether or not they might legitimately drop him from their lists, no matter whether or not they knew he was elevating crimson flags of concern. Till public providers are correctly funded, no findings or suggestions are going to make any distinction in retaining the general public safer.
Sarah James
Monmouth