After exploding phone boxes the latest craze for amateur arsonists in the Kingsway West area is to pour inflammable fluid in kerbside drains and set them alight.

Because these are never emptied of litter and other debris by the council they burn very well.

These cretins, fuelled by drink or drugs, think this is excellent tea-time sport.

The fire service turned up when called and were kept busy for some time while the cretins looked on.

The police were also notified and gave the impression of being interested but, two hours later, there was still no sign of them - yet the "fun" went on.

One reason these idiots do what they do is because they know they will not be apprehended.

The police claim they need support and information from the public yet they seem unable to act on much of it - a recent report of youths breaking windows at Hob Moor School was met with "by the time we get there they will have gone".

In view of the alarming increase in the amount of council tax handed over to North Yorkshire Police is it any wonder many residents feel they are not getting value for money?

Colin White,

Danesfort Avenue,

Acomb, York.

...READING the online version of the Evening Press I noted the stories about the firework "bombs" in phone boxes and the official start of fireworks being put on sale in shops.

Before leaving York in March we had just come to the end of the "firework season" which, because of the Golden Jubilee, New Year and Bonfire Night had lasted for about 11 months.

The fireworks were not restricted to any particular event but seemed to go off, sporadically, throughout the entire "season".

Our dog spent most evenings in fear of the noise and our young children were regularly woken up.

We moved to Perth, Western Australia, where fireworks are not available to the public. The tranquillity of the suburbs is a welcome relief.

Fireworks are laid on at many major events throughout the year, Australia Day being the most spectacular by far.

But every firework let off in the state is done so by a professional, organised display company.

I do don't know why fireworks are available to the British public.

Paul Langstaff,

Stonegate Street,

Butler, Western Australia.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, October 17, 2003