I CANNOT understand how the Monkton Road area suffers the sort of behaviour described in your report "Video nasty" (January 17).

In the past City of York Council, working with the residents' association, has made strides to improve the area. It was an example of what can be done when the community works together.

Dennis and Mary Leeming, both from the Bell Farm Association spearheaded projects which were televised for all to see. Young people were also praised in council literature for their involvement at that time.

What's gone wrong? How this type of incident happened? Has no one taken over to continue to build on this promising project?

Keith Chapman,

Custance Walk,

Nunnery Lane, York.

Updated: 11:25 Saturday, January 22, 2005