Apparently we ordinary citizens who have to put up with the mindless ignorance, rudeness and destructive rampages of groups of youths and their 'molls', day after day, have got it all wrong.

All we have to do is talk to the kids and we will not feel intimidated. Our feeling of intimidation is, apparently, merely a 'perception'.

The 'multi-agency task force', patrolling on our behalf, was quite impressed with the amiable demeanor of the groups they met, who were obviously only out to meet their mates, as youngsters have always done.

The fact that the kids would have 'seen them coming' as the saying goes, does not appear to enter into the argument.

When, on the subject of under-age drinking, Sgt Boughen, who is our local protector, said that 'It has become a bit of a game for them (the kids) trying to get away with it', most of the other members of the task force, especially the PCSOs, appeared to think that talking to them (the kids) would do the trick: 'Bit of a game'..........'Just talking to them'.......... oh well, that's alright then, it seems our protection is in good hands!!

Is March town centre a no-go zone the article asks. I would say it certainly is for older people, particularly womenfolk, after dusk.

Even I would not take to the streets at a late hour without having a damned good reason for doing so and a carefully planned route; a route which did not include Broad Street or Fenland Walk.

I leave you with this thought. In my youth there was a saying which went 'Familiarity breeds contempt'.

I have not heard it used lately, but as far as I am concerned it is truer today than ever it was and our protectors would do well to bear it in mind when dealing with this town full of yobbos.

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