I CANNOT believe the bad attitude of young children today.

I am a mother but I find it disgusting the lack of respect I receive from children in my local area.

While taking my dog out for its regular walk, I get bad language thrown at me, my own children were recently attacked in front of me by three hoodlum children with metal bars, trying to hit them and shouting foul-mouthed abuse.

When I stopped the little girls (yes, girls) from hitting my child, I received a foul-mouthed tirade, they then proceeded to follow us and make further comments and swear at us.

I was so angry I must admit I shouted back at them, only again to receive a mouthful back.

Where are the parents of these little yobs? Do they know what their little "darlings" are up to, and if they did, would they care?

The three little girls ranged from seven to 11 years old and are notorious in the area. But nothing is done to stop them behaving like they do. What future have these children got with an attitude like this?

I have now made my children play in their own garden to try and protect them from the local children. What kind of age is this. Part of the problem stems from the fact that my child, who was attacked, has special needs and, instead of being sympathetic to his problem, they see it as a bull's eye on a dart board and have to keep throwing the darts.

These kids need to learn a little respect.

(Name and address supplied)