Unpreparedness, opportunism or time for the birch?

THE violence and destruction we have witnessed on our TV screens has sent waves of shock and anger through the country.

Looting has been widespread and blatant and it is clear that criminals have been encouraging rioting in order to benefit themselves.

But it is undeniable that these events have taken place against a backdrop of rising unemployment, especially among the young, and the economic and social exclusion that causes.

In Sheffield, as I write, 10 people who specialise in working with unemployed youngsters – to get them into work and keep them out of trouble – are facing redundancy.

These are experienced youth workers who understand their clients and are trusted by them. They have a proud record of getting young people into jobs and away from a life of addiction and crime.

Cutting youth services at a time when government cuts are biting deep into our communities and unemployment soars is to abandon a generation of our young to fend for themselves.

Unison continues to campaign for properly funded and staffed youth services to steer our young people away from the appalling lawlessness and thuggery we have seen in the capital. The city needs to urgently reconsider its services to young people. They are the future and we must make sure it is one we can look forward to.

From: Barry Lawlor, Wakefield.

MY observation of the rioting youths who are destroying what is left of the great in Great Britain need swift strong action to be taken against them. Forget all the do-gooders and their rationale for why they are doing this. Bring back a law that says rioters can be shot and allow the police the no-holds-bared tactics to stop the actions of these rats.

Once the first five have been shot it will make the others think twice about joining in. Bring back the birch and hard labour detention camps that give these scum elements of our society a damn good thrashing if they step out of line. One final thing. If the offenders can’t pay any fine, simply take some of their treasured possessions such as expensive trainers, clothing, music systems and CDs and destroy them in front of their own eyes so they know what its like to lose their treasured possessions.

From: Peter Asquith-Cowen, First Lane, Anlaby, Hull.

IT is hard to think this is England in 2011. Shocking scenes of burning buildings and cars, violence and looting reminiscent of the Sack of Rome, or in London’s case, the Blitz.

However, while the police described the events as “copycat” riots, to me the whole thing seems to have been co-ordinated, planned and effected with terrifying consequences.

The perpetrators knew that the police and fire-services were stretched, and took full advantage to wreak havoc. They know prisons are full, and Government cuts worked to their advantage to cause maximum chaos.

Lessons must be learned, and these start with the Government reviewing its policies.

From: George Appleby, Clifton, York.

IT’S an old saying: “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”. Our politicians are very keen at telling other nations what they should do for their people.

They should be more concerned about what is wrong with our so-called democracy which is obviously going off the rails.

From: Roger P Brown, Wakefield.

IN 1940 it was the Battle of Britain; in 2011 it is the Battle for Britain.

As a first stage in this campaign, we should cancel (or at least dramatically reduce) foreign aid and concentrate on solving the financial problems of the UK.

Charity begins at home.

From: Pete Day, Doncaster.

SCANNING various articles on the riots, I found predictably, that the blame was put on underlying causes, historical causes, lack of investment, the cuts.

Nothing to do with these individuals finding the police at a low state of preparedness and exploiting it for their own ends, then?

From: Fr Neil McNicholas, St Hilda’s Parish, Whitby.

The Yorkshire Post only recently very kindly published my article on the ignorance we so often witness on the part of mobile phone users.

Yesterday, Parliament was recalled to debate the riots and violence of recent days.

Who was the female front-bencher just five seats to Mr Cameron’s left texting even while he, as her Party leader, was speaking on such a vitally important matter?

Such ignorance and bad manners is appalling – and this from a front-bench Member of Parliament tasked with the running of our country.

Why are mobile phones even permitted in the House of Commons?