AFTER watching a clip of The Bill on Tuesday evening, and being very aware of the current crime rate which I find appalling, I felt compelled to write,

I wonder if the person who is supposed to be looking after this country and the people in it, sees this situation as a major priority or not. If he does, action needs to be taken. This is how it is Mr Blair: Some children are ruling their parents and teachers. Some teenagers are ruling the police and the system. Some adults are going berserk wondering what evil doing they can get away with next.

You are not going to rectify two wrong generations now with the softly, softly touch. Here is what could be done: Bring back the cane into schools. All school leavers, boys and girls at 16 years, should have a mild form of national service. When they become an 18-year-old adult, they can then go on to study for their chosen career. Prisons should be turned into hospitals. Prisons - rather dungeons - should be formed underground - out of the way.

I think personally, the dungeons would never be filled - as the old saying goes "Prevention would be more effective than the cure".

In the meantime, pull the shutters down, don't go out after dark, put the house alarm on, car alarm on, lock your doors, lock up your sons and daughters - and don't forget to tuck that baseball bat behind your bed.

Mother of Two

Harwood

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.