YORK and North Yorkshire remain remarkably safe places to live. Violence is comparatively rare.

Unfortunately, however, it is growing. Reports of violent crime are up by a quarter, to a rate of more than a thousand incidents each month.

This is a worrying trend. But it is unfair to blame the police. Increased aggression is a product of the society we have all created.

Before we can draw up an effective strategy to reduce violence, it is vital we are aware of the scale of the task. The police have widened the definition of violent crime to include verbal abuse, which helps to explain the hike in the figures.

Now someone swearing in the street is classed as violent. That is absolutely right.

Anyone who has been on the receiving end of a volley of four-letter words - and that includes almost everyone in a job dealing with the public, from nurses to train guards - understands it as an act of violence. It can be terrifying.

Verbal attacks add to the fear of crime and, if unchecked, often lead to physical confrontations.

Today's youngsters are often criticised for showing a lack of respect to others. Some think nothing of swearing at family, friends and even strangers.

We all know that children learn by example. Teaching them proper consideration for others should begin by a show of intolerance towards adults who bawl and swear in public.

Updated: 11:11 Friday, February 18, 2005