Anarchists must be punished severely for damage they did

From: Mrs Maureen Hunt, Woolley, near Wakefield.

THE appalling scenes of anarchy shown on our television screens and in the Press recently will never be forgotten. They were truly shocking.

What we saw was part of a generation of children and young adults who have grown up without any discipline or control, with the result that they have no respect whatsoever for anyone, especially for those in authority. They know only too well that no one can lay a finger on them.

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Parents cannot smack them and frequent reports have shown that the slightest tap can result in a visit from a social worker, leading to the removal of the child from a perfectly good home.

Teachers cannot always keep order as their ultimate sanction has been removed.

If we look back at our own childhood, we may be ashamed to recall how badly we behaved with weak teachers and how perfectly with those who were in control. It has always been the same. Strength is respected and weakness despised and taken advantage of.

These anarchists must be punished severely and must make reparation for the damage they have caused. Prison should not be a place to which they are happy to return.

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David Cameron would do well to emulate Margaret Thatcher so that he can toughen up and yank us off our knees where we present a pathetic picture to the world.

Indeed, our reputation must have reached a new low. It is decisive action which is required now, not just fine rhetoric

From: Bill Marsh, Beadle Garth, Copmanthorpe.

We often talk about the police as if they are an amorphous mass of people. We should never forget that they are ordinary people, husbands, wives, sons and daughters who are putting their lives at risk to protect us and our property.

Somehow, donning the uniform gives them the courage to tackle situations which ordinarily we’d run away from. Can you imagine how much courage it takes to stand fast against wild mobs? How it must feel to be dodging missiles standing next to burning buildings (Sir Norman Bettison, Yorkshire Post, August 12)?

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I was in London during the Poll Tax riots and vividly remember the hordes of people running from the rioting while police officers were going in the opposite direction towards the mayhem.

They are absolutely marvellous and deserve our total support for the work they do.

From: Michael Iveson, Summerbridge, Harrogate.

WITH regard to the recent riots in English cities, it has been assumed that the culprits come from some underprivileged class.

However, details emerging from the courts suggest otherwise as those charged come from a wide section of the populace, many with supposedly responsible jobs.

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The basic problem, which affects the whole nation, including rural backwaters, is a general lack of discipline. For too long parents, teachers and the police themselves have had their hands tied by successive governments, with the result that those with anti-social tendencies feel that they can operate with impunity.

There are no deterrents, and the so-called human rights and civil liberty brigades have a lot to answer for.

To quote one possible solution, if looters were shot, as in some countries they would be, I am prepared to wager the Queen’s jewels that there would be less looting.

From: Alan Kirby, Haven Court, Hayle.

THE Conservative Party should replace David Cameron urgently with somebody who doesn’t just spout either phoney moral indignation or feel-good soundbites but actually possesses a personal moral compass, and doesn’t just pretend to respect modern sensibilities.

From: John Watson, Hutton Hill, Leyburn.

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WHAT can we expect in this so-called civilised country of ours when we have a police force neutered by the spectre of human rights legislators watching every move they make?

Every little misdemeanour means more money in the pockets of the “ambulance-chasing” lawyers.

From: Andrew Mercer, Oxford Road, Guiseley.

WHY did Labour field Lord Prescott on Question Time last Thursday rather than a member of the Shadow Cabinet – or is that the best they can do when Britain is in flames and the economy imploding?