ON January 3, in Accrington's Arndale Centre, my husband and I witnessed a young child of about three years old being violently struck in the back and then about the head by a young woman with another toddler in tow.

We approached her to ask that she desist and to offer help. We, in turn, were shouted at, being told in no uncertain terms that it was none of our business.

Although the precinct was crowded, no-one else showed the slightest inclination to intervene; passers-by showed interest but remained totally passive - apparently agreeing with the young woman herself that it was indeed 'none of their business.'

The child, we were told, needed hitting because she had learning difficulties! How much would this child have to suffer in public before someone else would intervene and speak up for her?

Had she been an adult, the incident would have been classed as an assault and the police would no doubt have been called.

Yet, because the victim was a child, unable to defend herself either physically or verbally, all watched with apathy.

Do the people of Accrington care more about getting a bargain in the sales than defending a little child?

Remember that, for evil to exist, it is sufficient that people do nothing. And remember Jamie Bulger.

C HAINSWORTH, BFPO 39.

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