On: Why are so many people being hit with £5 fines for...

[xnyan]

there are countries where it’s not a serious crime to counterfeit postage? I think the penalty is double (up to 10 years) in the United Kingdom for example.

[siva7 → xnyan]

Yes, there are plenty. A serious crime requires serious damage in some countries so a single counterfeit won't tick that bar.

[B1FF_PSUVM → siva7]

'De minimis non curat lex', as those very practical Romans put it

[pigeons → B1FF_PSUVM]

I was going to reply, "Unum ex multis dica". It's always interesting when two people can see the same thing and come to opposite conclusions!