IN his recent letter, Tony Sprason made some important points about the problems of anti-social behaviour amongst young people.

However, I must disagree with him on two issues. Firstly, he is opposed to the reform of licensing laws for pubs and clubs, arguing that the longer they are open the more drunkenness there will be. I think he's wrong.

The British problem is not that too many people get drunk after midnight but that too many people think that a good night out is about shovelling down as much alcohol in the shortest time possible.

The growing problem of teenage alcoholism is not the result of clubs staying open 24 hours a day. After all, very few of them will ever be able to. The real problem is the easy availability of cheap alcohol in off-licences and supermarkets and the fact that too many adults collaborate in breaking the law.

Secondly, he claims that "politicians have failed us". This, of course, is an easy line for anyone with a grievance. He than goes on to praise the efforts of GMP and the new officers who are now in post. Tony Sprason has told me personally how much he has appreciated the efforts of the local police in Tottington.

Unfortunately, he doesn't make the link between improved police performance and the increase in police numbers, with the decisions of politicians.

The only reason that Greater Manchester Police now has more than 8,000 officers for the first time in its history is a result of decisions by politicians. Or, to be precise, decisions by Labour politicians.

The tough budget decisions we took were opposed by the Conservative Party at every step of the way. The Tories have voted against every penny of Labour's new investment in Bury. This is what is paying for our new police officers and is leading to steady reductions in almost every category of crime.

So when, or if, the Tory's local candidates emerge from their hiding places to ask for votes in next month's local elections, the big question to ask them is this:

Why did the Conservative Party vote against Labour's budgets that are now delivering record police numbers to Bury?

The fact is that there are two sorts of politicians. Those who put their money where their mouth is and those who don't.

DAVID CHAYTOR MP