I READ with interest the letter from the Chapelfields woman who does not know the answer to youngsters' anti-social behaviour (March 27).

It cannot be sorted out overnight by any one person that's for sure, and is a nationwide problem which seems to be getting worse.

I was delighted to see, however, that a local councillor, Coun Horton, has responded to trouble in the Danebury Drive/Ostman Road in Acomb following complaints.

As well as letters to homes in the area making tenants aware that the council appreciates the problems and is working with the police to solve matters, residents are being asked to log all instances of anti-social behaviour.

As a community we can all help to collect evidence against these youngsters and show their behaviour it is not acceptable.

Lynn Muollo,

Danebury Drive,

Acomb, York.

...RECENT letters have raised the problems of crime and anti-social behaviour, especially by young people.

But, sadly, most of them have chosen to lay the blame on lone-parents, asylum seekers or teachers.

This is easy and unfair; and it lets the politicians off the hook.

Labour and Tory governments have cut our public services to such an extent that now there aren't enough police to prevent crimes, teachers to support kids in school, or social workers to help families with problems.

Now, with youth clubs facing cuts, the situation could get even worse.

Rhetoric about "getting tough" may win votes but solves nothing. If we really want to tackle these problems we need to be willing to employ skilled people to do it. This means serious investment in public services and an end to cuts and privatisation. No more excuses or scapegoats. We need our public services back!

Ben Drake,

Danum Road,

Fulford, York.

Updated: 10:14 Friday, March 29, 2002