THERE are few offenders more despicable than criminals who prey on the elderly and infirm.

It's difficult to exaggerate the lasting effect their actions have on those least able to protect themselves - and the anger such crimes provoke among the rest of society.

Too often evil criminals cannot be properly brought to book for robberies and bogus official thefts because of the frailty of their victims.

For many pensioners in their eighties or nineties the prospect of going into the witness box in a courtroom is almost as terrifying as the crime itself.

And the criminals know that if their victims do give evidence a clever defence barrister can exploit nerves and confusion to persuade a jury that they just might be innocent.

Also if the victim doesn't feel able to give evidence at all the chances of a conviction are extremely remote - and the criminal escapes justice.

The initiative being shown by police in East Lancashire in getting courts to agree to using video links so that pensioners can give evidence live from their homes is an excellent idea.

The vulnerable will feel relaxed about talking and most importantly uncaring thugs and bullies will get the punishment they deserve and perhaps even be frightened from committing such crimes because of a real risk of going to prison.