WHILE appreciating the attempt by G Townley (Letters, December 19) at playing the devil's advocate in Jack Straw's constituency immediately prior to Christmas - the supposed season of goodwill - I would hope the loony left have enough common sense not to try and bully him into watering down the currently proposed legislation.

The country has a proposed Act which attempts to redress injustice - a good cause for any socialist.

What of the elderly or infirm who answer their doors late at night only to find 'someone's child' dropping their pants and mooning at them?

Or those who attempt to go out of their homes in the evening only to have abuse, snowballs and stones thrown at them by "Well, they're only children playing"?

Or those who have their windows broken by "children"?

Or the latest fad in Billington, which appears to consist of throwing footballs at moving cars on the main road, presumably with the intent of causing an accident? "Only children"?

Complain to the children and you get verbal abuse. Complain to the parents; more of the same - usually, because they won't or can't control their children.

Complain to the police? Little they can do at present.

This, sadly, is why we need legislation to bring these uncaring individuals to their senses.

S WHITTLE (Mr), Billington Gardens, Billington.

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