AFTER five years of coalition government, 2010 to 2015, and a further year of Tory government, 2015 to present, what a sad state of affairs this country and York are in.

I refer initially to Mike Laycock’s report “Fighting and drunk groups deter visitors” (The Press, July 18).

Hi report highlights that he had seen an inflatable male doll at York Station, albeit being taken into the station and being transported elsewhere.

I must ask the questions, why do the police allow this type of behaviour on the streets anyway, is it correct for York to allow this type of behaviour to be as such exported to other towns and cities, and why do railway staff allow this type of thing to be openly carried on the rail network?

Mike Laycock reports that a police officer informed him it was far easier to serve somebody with a dispersal order because it “nipped a problem in the bud and it avoided wasting time on paperwork”.

Further on in The Press an unnamed reporter states: “Councillors will ... discuss an increase in crime in York, including a sharp rise in violent crime.”

Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, is correct to raise concerns regarding this increase in not only violent crime but crime in general.

Five years of Tory/Lib Dem government and a further year of a Tory government are bringing this country to its knees.

Let’s be rid of them.

Howard Perry, St James Place, Dringhouses, York