HOW encouraging to hear North Yorkshire's top police officer speaking up for the modern youth.

Chief Constable Della Cannings says residents in some areas are too ready to brand all young people as troublemakers. She believes older people sometimes need to change their perceptions rather than force young people to alter their behaviour.

Well done, Della. It is important to remember that only a minority of young people cause trouble. Most of them are fine.

Updated: 10:44 Monday, October 04, 2004