Now the school holidays are over it is time to reflect on the distress and damage suffered by our community at the hands of many young teenagers during their summer break.

This behaviour has included incidents of apples and stones thrown at houses and cars; fences attacked and kicked until they break and graffiti tags almost all over the community.

Although the authorities clearly have a duty to maintain law and order, the problem is becoming unmanageable.

Young people have always loitered in groups on street corners but it seems it is more common now. Parents have a responsibility to others to ensure their children behave in an acceptable manner. The question all parents should ask is whether their off-spring are behaving themselves when out with friends during the school holidays, or are they engaging in unacceptable behaviour and making life a complete misery for others in the community.

Name and address supplied

September 17, 2001 11:23