REGARDING the case of Hoghton shopkeeper Mr P Bretherton, with all its difficulties and implications.

Why is it that so many decent, hardworking, law-abiding citizens have to endure persistent vandalism from gangs of stone-throwing youths and their ilk without seemingly much help from the police?

How did all this lawless behaviour come about -- lack of parental control, no respect for any kind of authority, very little self-discipline, no regard for churches, cemeteries, schools, parks, etc? The list is endless.

We acknowledge that the police have a difficult job and cannot be everywhere at once, but discipline must start somewhere or else we are heading for anarchy. The future seems bleak.

M McKENNA (Miss), Knowles Street Rishton.