REGARDING Home Secretary Jack Straw's call for an end to the "walk on by society," for law abiding people to take a more active stance against "low level crime" (LET, February 18), I wonder if he really knows what he is asking.

I seriously doubt his knowledge of life in the real world.

Your report stated that Mr Straw had himself made a number of citizens arrests. It can be guaranteed that when he did, he had the full backing of the police who would attend his every wish and whim - and within a very short time as well.

Compare that with the following fictitious scenario and the action, or lack of it, that follows . . .

A 59-year-old man witnesses three 12-year-old children damaging a telephone box. He tells them to stop. He is verbally abused and possibly threatened with bodily harm.

He sticks to his guns and demands names and addresses of the young people. These are given of course as Albert Hall, Mickey Mouse and Joe Bloggs - obviously, all false.

What can he do next? He cannot detain them and if he lays his hands on them to do so, he leaves himself open to prosecution for common assault.

Let's say that our man then calls the police. They arrive - hopefully, within the 15 minutes that Lancashire's Chief Constable Pauline Claire wishes for (it was four minutes anywhere in the borough in 1966) and the children are identified and taken to their homes. What further action will the police take? Possibly they will receive a caution - which means nothing at all.

The informant now lays himself open to retaliation by the offenders.

But let's say that the three offenders are well known to the police and have received previous cautions. The damage caused is considered serious enough for them to be reported for the offence. They are summoned to appear in juvenile court.

The offenders are advised by their individual solicitors to plead "not guilty" to the charge and to blame each other.

The witness also receives a summons and takes time off work to give evidence. The case is adjourned (usually for the benefit of one or more of the defendants). After a further number of adjournments during which the witness has to change his own plans concerning work, social activities and holidays, the case goes ahead.

At the hearing he is verbally attacked by defence counsel and because they have no real defence to offer, his integrity is questioned. A small fine is levied on the offenders and the witness is still under threat of retaliation.

Mr Straw should know young people "know their rights" and are fully aware that they can do virtually what they want without fear of censure.

That is why bullying is so rampant. Mr Straw and his immediate predecessors as Home Secretary, have created the current situation and now he is looking for the public he was voted in to power to serve to do the job for him - a typical politician's ploy.

He is safe in the knowledge that he will never have to stand alone against vandalism and thuggery and then having done so, have to reside in the same area as those he stood against.

If anyone reading the scenario I have outlined thinks it verges on anarchy, they are darned well right - it does.

Politician's guff. Bah!

ANTONY HAWORTH, Pendleside Close, Sabden, Clitheroe.

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