Theft might be the crime that the public most abhor. It is particularly true in big cities like Shanghai where the rate of theft is rather high.

So, in an effort to cut the theft crime rate, local police put up pictures of 22 people who have been convicted of stealing at the exits of Xujiahui station on Metro Line 1. The station is regarded as a high-risk area frequented by pickpockets and thieves. The eyes of the 22 alleged thieves were blanked out.

At first glance this action appears to be a wonderful idea and was applauded by a considerable number of citizens, especially those who have suffered from theft. In their opinion, the disclosure may frighten the alleged thieves from committing the crime again. At the same time the action reminds the public to be on the lookout for thieves.

However, there was a need to end the action, regardless of its possible advantages.

First, displaying the criminals' pictures goes against the spirit of the rule of law. As a matter of fact, there is no provision in Chinese law stipulating that photographs of thieves should be disclosed to the public. On the contrary, Article 212 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that executions of death sentences shall be announced but shall not be held in public. If the execution of death sentences is not allowed to be held in public, there is no reason to believe that Chinese law supports the idea of putting up pictures of thieves in public places.

In fact, in a society with the rule of law, no institution has the right to impose any additional punishment on criminals.

Second, the action invades the privacy of the convicted thieves. In spite of their past bad behaviour, the thieves are still people. Their dignity should be respected and their rights protected. Unless otherwise provided for by law, no conditions whatsoever can be put upon their rights. Some may argue that they deserve the punishment but the fact is that they have received punishment for the crime of theft in accordance with criminal law.

Third, the action is very likely to distress the families of the previously convicted thieves. Although the eyes were blotted out, it is still possible for them to be recognized. If so, their children or parents may be mocked, suspected and alienated from their neighbours. What is more, since there is a traditional opinion in China that a thief's son will also be a thief, the children of the thieves may be forced to grow up under high pressure.

Finally, I am wondering what worthwhile end this action could really serve. Although local security guards reported that the thieves in the pictures had disappeared from the subway station after their pictures were displayed, it doesn't mean that they will give up stealing. On the contrary, it seems that there is more reason for them to commit the crime again.

In this case, they may just have left Xujiahui station and gone somewhere else to steal. In other words, publication of their pictures only led them to change the venue of crime.

On the other hand, there is also a chance some of them may have decided to give up stealing before their pictures were displayed. Under such a circumstance, showing their pictures can only suppress their willingness to repent - the disclosure may prevent them from moving on with their lives. This is because it is hard for them to live and work after people recognize them. Very few people will trust them and hire them.

In short, displaying pictures of criminals in public is by no means an appropriate action to stop crime. And it is extremely urgent that police in other provinces do not take the same approach as Shanghai.

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