I FOLLOW York news via the Internet. It is highly disturbing to read of gangs of youths roaming and vandalising fairly central areas of York where one would expect routine police cover.
These groups must realise the ineffectiveness of the police, partly because of top-rank police attitudes suggesting that demands for bobbies on the beat reflects a Dixon Of Dock Green mindset.
Police should be out on mountain bikes all around York moving swiftly and unexpectedly. They don't have to be armed with 9mm pistols as we have here in the US (not yet at least).
The Economist states that the overall level of crime - across the whole US - is half that in the UK. Your problem seems to be escalating, not least in rural areas where the police appear to have abandoned ship.
Paul Dee,
N 1st Street,
Charlottesville, Virginia.
Updated: 11:09 Monday, September 06, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article