It is a sad reflection of our society today that an 83-year-old pensioner can find himself fighting for his life in his own home against a robber who is clearly only intent on lining his pockets with money for drugs or drink.

And this a clergyman who has devoted his life to helping other people.

Dr Fred Fuller deserves to be held in esteem and respect by all members of the community.

Instead he has become yet another statistic in a country where we are no longer surprised by the actions of a young man who is clearly desperate for the contents of Dr Fuller's petty cash tin.

The irony is that Dr Fuller says he would have probably given the man some money had he only asked.

Swindon clearly is not the crime capital of England, or even the West Country.

But this attack again illustrates the way in which violence has become a first option rather than a last resort for otherwise petty criminals.

Detectives today released a videofit of the man they want to speak to about the robbery. When he is caught he must be dealt with by the courts in a manner which sends a clear message to others that the use of violence is totally unacceptable.

But perhaps the biggest challenge is to tackle the cause of this kind of crime.

Swindon last week took on its first drugs czar to co-ordinate the problem that feeds the vast majority of petty crime in this town. This episode illustrates the magnitude of the job Jennie Harmston has on her hands.