YOU have run several articles recently about the appalling intimidation of a man living in the Hull Road area.

For anyone to suffer this for any reason is bad enough; that it should arise from his challenging vandalising youths makes it a whole lot worse because it deters others from checking such behaviour and the offenders are then confident they can act against any of us.

This spreads like a cancer and emboldens others.

It becomes a vicious circle.

Not long ago you reported an arson attempt on the home of a couple who had challenged youths just outside York. I hope the victim in this case can sell his house and get out.

However, wider questions arise - mainly, why are the police so powerless in the face of such frequent and concentrated criminal activity? Do they lack the money for surveillance of the house, perhaps with CCTV, and a snatch squad lurking nearby in an unmarked van overnight (or whatever measures might be more effective)?

Sending round officers in marked police vehicles obviously only adds to the fun.

If it's lack of resources we should all be willing to pay a little more. If it's the state of the law, then perhaps a senior officer could open a debate by explaining the problem, and then informed public pressure could help to change it.

Michael Cadoux

Church Street,

Bubwith,

Selby.

...MY thanks to Lynn Muollo of Danebury Drive for highlighting action being taken to respond to troubles in the Acomb area caused by a minority of anti-social youngsters (Letters, March 29).

While I am given some credit in Ms Muollo's letter, I feel that credit must also go to my fellow Labour councillor for Acomb, Tracey Simpson-Laing, who has also been involved in responsive action not only in Danebury Drive, but also in Chapelfields.

Tracey and I have had meetings with the police, the city's housing department and First York to seek out ways of countering the problems which are making life intolerable for the majority of law-abiding residents in both areas.

The collection of evidence, necessary to prove any criminal conviction is of paramount importance.

Coupled with attempts to 'catch them in the act' this will, given time, inevitably result in success.

Those youngsters of city council tenants in the area who are involved in such anti-social behaviour, in addition to being subject to the force of criminal law, need to be aware that they place their parents' tenancy of their council homes in jeopardy.

This city council, given proof positive of the perpetrators, will not stand idly by and allow residents, council tenants or owner-occupiers, be subject to unacceptable yobbish behaviour.

Councillor David Horton,

Slessor Road,

Foxwood Hill,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 12:17 Thursday, April 04, 2002