DON'T you think the general public are getting rather fed-up and worried about the increase in violence and crime committed on a daily basis?

The do-gooders' way of a slap on the wrist and 'don't do it again' approach has no impact whatsoever, because wrongdoing still happens time after time!

In my opinion most of the crime is committed by the youth of today who will not listen to advice from their elders. Surely a simple answer to this problem would be a short spell (maybe one or two months) of Army training "square bashing" which could be taken as a work experience scheme.

They would be taught discipline and obedience, respect for their elders and a better idea of a friendly community spirit.

This would no doubt be a hard pill to swallow for the troublemakers in our society, but they would certainly learn more this way than the 'soft-touch' approach.

Even those who have started work could benefit and if their employers were agreeable, given them paid leave of absence (no different than that of 'expectant fathers').

I am sure we would see a dramatic change in our future society if this was put into action.

ROSEMARY SPEDDING (Mrs), Oswald Street, Accrington.