Is it me or people getting more stupid ?

This is an incredible story of stupidity.

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/scaffo...rrified-passer-by/?ebul=hsegen&cr=2/21-sep-15

A scaffolder gets reported to HSE for dangerous work.
HSE visits site and issues prohibition order on site.
Scaffolder and site ignore prohibition notice and continue.
Principle contractor only changes scaffolder after second prohibition notice
and the list goes on

The scaffolder got a suspended jail spell.

I know I am getting more stupid as I get older. I can imagine the scaffolder being a chancer but the main contractor ignoring a prohibition notice on a refurb job in central London?