CCTV footage has once again played an important part in getting thugs off the street. Despite Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s aversion to CCTV, the fact is that our modern-day nation needs constant surveillance in order to foster the hope that justice may be served…some day.

The event in question is the recent “happy slapping” attack committed by 15-year-old Hamza Lyzai and 16-year-old Leon Elcock which resulted in the death of retired care worker Ekram Haque.

Ekram Haque was struck on the back of the head as he returned from the mosque with his young granddaughter. The attack was caught on CCTV and Lyzai and Elcock received a meagre sentence due to their young age. However tender their age though, the fact remains that due to their actions, a life was needlessly lost.