I READ with disgust the story on the front page of the Bolton Evening News, (Wednesday, May 25) of the attack by a thug on an old lady in Bury, and then forcing her to hand over her money.

That was Bury - then Farnworth joins the front page with the wild rampage in Farnworth Cemetery.

I understand how the relatives felt when they found the graves desecrated - this has happened to my family's three graves at St James, New Bury. In fact, I have been advised not to go in the district, let alone the churchyard.

So what to do about the problem. I have two suggestions, based on Mrs Beeton's cookery instruction.

First, catch the culprits and their parents; next bring back the stocks and put these vandals in them on the Town Hall steps, with their parents in another set behind them.

If such punishment does not improve their behaviour, the final choice is the birch. A few strokes of that implement will make them squeal, unless they are absolutely inhuman.

My first suggestion is remove the age cover, reveal all names and addresses, as these days three and four-year-olds are expert thieves, brick throwers and arsonists, with language that would put the Devil to shame.

Until the do-gooders stop wearing their halos, crime will rule this land, and then they will wonder how the Devil has won. God forbid we should reach that time.

Dorothy B Waters

Winifred Road

Farnworth