Burglars on Holiday

Another of my cartoons was printed in The Sun on 14th October 2003. It shows a car that has been stopped at the roadside by a police constable. 

While the officer is busy writing out a ticket for the driver, the man’s wife pointedly asks: “Are all the burglars on holiday?”. 

The gag works because it taps into a very familiar frustration – when the police seem more interested in minor offences like traffic stops than in tackling bigger crimes. 

The wife’s sarcastic remark turns that everyday complaint into a neat, witty punchline, suggesting that the officer must have plenty of free time if he’s out writing tickets instead of chasing burglars.

This cartoon is funny because it blends two worlds that readers recognise instantly: the inconvenience of being pulled over and the universal gripe about crime priorities. 

By putting the words into the mouth of the passenger, it also makes the exchange sharper and funnier – she’s cheeky enough to say what many people might only be thinking. 

With its clear set-up and quick payoff, the cartoon delivers the laugh in seconds, which is exactly what makes it work so well.

You could also take a look at my Thesaurus Compilers cartoon or the light-hearted “Simple Home Cooking”.