RISING crime, coupled with falling police numbers, is reflected in the recent reports of child lawlessness, firstly in the St Andrew's area and now in nearby Lever Street, both in Radcliffe.

I cannot help but ask the questions of all parents: do you know what company your children keep and what they get up to? Should you be ashamed of them and yourselves, too?

No doubt the police will take action to try and rectify the situation, but I have this premonition that very soon our Labour MP will be throwing his hat into the ring and announcing, as he did 17 months ago on the "Kilroy" TV show, that a new crime prevention initiative had been implemented and was already proving very successful. He was promptly asked by one person directly affected when it was going to start!

PETER WRIGHT,

Ringley Road West,

Radcliffe.

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