WE seem to have reached a near crisis point with the young men and women in our communities who seem forced to beg for some kind of adult attention.

Why do I say this?

Well, today crime is taken for granted, as a sort of trial of strength and resolve between the child and those who have to pay the costs of their anti-social behaviour.

The stories of small acts of vandalism leading to more serious damage, arson, grafitti, car theft and so on, are reported daily.

The current law over-protects the younger villains, which in turn, gives them the confidence to go on to bigger, more adventurous acts to attain notoriety.

Parents don't stand a chance, not being allowed to discipline the children, which they inflicted upon us by their choice, and are set loose upon decent society.

We need to ask children what it is that makes them want to hurt ordinary people, similar to those in their own families. We need to know what we can do to stop them from wanting to commit anti-social crimes.

We also need to ask them at which age they would like to be accepted as adults. My guess is that they reach this age at around ten years. If they commit crimes they should face the consequences as an adult offender.

Finally, we must begin to educate the less academic students in more practical subjects and not allow them to feel like under achievers, which is mostly the problem today.

P F Morse

Cheney Manor Road

Swindon