MAYBE we don’t fully appreciate how very fortunate we are to have a free press in this country.

It’s a fundamental principle that allows communication and expression to be exercised freely in printed and electronic media.

And it enables reporters to hold the powers that be to account on the taxpayers’ behalf.

But, unfortunately, some not very public spirited miscreants in Taunton seem to think free press means they can help themselves to newspapers they haven’t paid for.

Taunton Library has for many years stocked copies of national, regional and local daily and weekly newspapers, including the County Gazette, for members of the public to read for free.

Sadly, the service, previously paid for by the county council, has been badly abused, seemingly on a regular basis.

Last week I arrived around half an hour early for an appointment in the town centre, so decided to pop into the library to skim through the papers to catch up on what was going on around the world.

I scanned for the rack where the newspaper had always been stored, only to be greeted by a notice saying: “ALL newspapers are now kept at the staff desk (by entrance) due to repeated theft.”

It added: “Please ask us if you would like to read them, and return them to staff when you are finished. Thank you for your understanding.”

Who would stoop so low as to steal a copy of a newspaper intended for any member of the public to read and costing less than a cup of coffee? It beggars belief.

Hopefully the new system has put a stop to the kleptomaniacs intent on spoiling the enjoyment of visitors to Taunton Library.

The library used to hold copies of most national, regional and local newspapers.

But back in January, cash-strapped Somerset Council decided to stop funding them, saving a few thousand pounds annually.

The Friends of Taunton Library - which fundraises to buy extras such as furniture and craft supplies, in much the same way as The League of Friends brings in additional cash for much-need equipment at Musgrove Park Hospital - has kindly stepped in to pay for copies of the County Gazette, The Times and The i to be delivered to the library. And that’s where they should remain.