IN an interview on a national radio station yesterday, a young girl who had been involved in the rioting in London claimed “there was no reason not to join in”.

Once the dust settles and calm has been restored, the political classes will have to embark on a series of meaningful debates about the underlying economic and social issues that have led to such a sudden surge in violence and criminality.

For now though, the most important thing is to persuade would-be rioters and looters that their actions will have serious repercussions.

To that end, the decision to assign four London magistrates’ courts specifically to fast-track cases relating to this week’s rioting is to be welcomed.

Similarly, it is good to see magistrates referring almost all of the cases passing in front of them to the Crown Court.

Magistrates can impose a maximum jail term of six months – in a Crown Court a sentence for aggravated burglary can be as high as ten years.

There is surely no greater deterrent than seeing lengthy jail terms handed down.

At the same time, it is important that law-breakers see the full effects of their actions.

This is not only about stealing from a handful of shops. Livelihoods are being ruined and, in the case of three men attempting to defend their property in Birmingham, lives are being lost.

Yesterday, Tariq Jahan spoke movingly about the death of his son, Haroon, who was hit by a car in the Winson Green area of Birmingham.

Mr Jahan said: “I’ve got no words to describe why he was taken and why this has happened and what’s happening to the whole of England.

“It makes no sense why people are behaving in this way and taking the lives of three innocent people.”

This is not a game. The sooner would-be rioters up and down the country appreciate that, the better.