I READ in the Citizen a letter from a councillor complaining about the bad behaviour, language and drunkenness of the large groups of teenagers during the Summerbreeze festival. I recall two or three years ago I wrote to the local papers pointing the same thing out and asking what the parents of these drunken hooligans were planning to do about it. Guess what? None wrote back and nothing was done and consequently it has got worse.

I agree the behaviour of these teenagers was unacceptable but where were their parents? These minors are their responsibility - so where were they?

There is something I think the councillor should be aware of. He pointed out that when problems arose and fights broke out among these teenagers the security just stood by and watched. Well, what security is he referring to one wonders. There were two groups during the weekend, one for the stage and bands and the others were looking after the Dome, Waterfront Bar and outside beer marquee. The main task was to keep the under 18s from entering licensed premises. Legally we had no control in the public area, in other words the only people who could control or tackle these thugs were the police.

So please don't blame us and assume it's our fault - our hands were tied. I was talking to a gentleman who informed me that teenagers were bribing people over 18 to get alcohol for them. He was approached as he walked past an off licence not far from the public arena and he is a magistrate! He has complained to the authorities, so lets see if the next few festivals are any better and there are no drunken teenagers about.

Let's not blame innocent parties thank you.

K Partridge,

Olive Road,

Lancaster

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