I am writing in response to Ms H Lynch's letter of September 28. This "lad" has only got himself to blame.

Yes, it's a major company that probably wouldn't miss the price of whatever it was that took his fancy, but what next - shoplifting today, house burglaries or muggings the next.

What about the "human rights" of any future victims. With the state that this country is in at present you should have applauded the policeman. You never know this course of action may well keep this lad on the straight and narrow now and saved him from a life on the inside.

MRS T YOUNG North Cheam