Great Uncle Fred? My next-door neighbour was burgled and they took everything, even the microwave. And someone pinched my trainers. Why do people steal? (Robert, Winter 2007/8)

The simple answer is that they want what you`ve got but that won`t do because there are probably lots of things that you would like that other people have but you don`t steal. You don`t steal because you believe that it is wrong to steal. Those who steal also know that it is wrong but they have somehow persuaded themselves that it`s OK for them to steal, or not too bad, or justified in some way. You know The Ten Commandments? Well, I believe that they put into words what we as a species know to be true. I think that we all have an inborn sense of right and wrong and we know perfectly well that it is wrong to murder, for example, and to steal. I bet a robber would be just as angry if you stole something off him as his victims are when he steals off them. Therefore, he has to give himself some excuse. Perhaps he tells himself that it`s unfair for rich people to have more possessions than poor people. Perhaps he feels that his family`s needs over-ride the feelings of the burgled people. Perhaps he is addicted to something and will do anything to get hold of it, almost as if he were possessed by the Devil. Whatever the reason, an inner struggle will have been involved. But I suppose if you can forget your natural inclination to do the right thing, it might require some bravery and be quite exciting. But it is always wrong. Mind you, if you are on the point of starvation and steal a loaf of bread the Law will treat you leniently, I believe. Otherwise, people steal because they are scalliwags and ragamuffins.

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