WHEN a society is too scared or unconcerned to intervene when wrong is being done, it is in trouble.
For then the balance has tipped in favour of criminals and thugs who know they can behave appallingly with little risk of being challenged. And in such circumstances savagery rules.
Which is why Justice Secretary Jack Straw's support for have-a-go-heroes is to be applauded.
Mr Straw, a veteran of four incidents in which he has sprung into action when a crime has been committed, wants his officials to work on ways to reassure the public that the law is on their side if they intervene.
This is a policy that will resonate with the general public.
No-one wants people to put themselves in danger by engaging in foolhardy acts of bravery.
Likewise there should be no encouragement for the public to act as vigilantes, targeting the innocent.
But nor should wrong-doers be free to swagger through our cities and towns confident that no-one will step in to stop them.
The balance is tipping back in favour of us – the decent, ordinary people who want to live decent, ordinary lives.
Well done, Mr Straw.