I WAS extremely disappointed to hear of last night's events in the Gloucester. It appears that a small gang of local young people had decided to imitate the appalling behaviour of delinquents in other cities in our country. There is absolutely no excuse for the damage, fear and loss that these people have wrought. I was pleased to see that the police have made 10 arrests and I hope they will be able to make more, so that these criminals are brought before the Court and punished to the greatest extent permitted by the law.

I would like to thank the police and the fire service for the exemplary, rapid and professional way in which they responded and have kept the damage and disorder to a minimum. Many explanations have been offered for this unacceptable behaviour, but I fear it is a malaise that now afflicts this particular generation. The remedy may require a cultural change in what is now called 'parenting', but which I prefer to call family life, so that these young people have more respect for the society in which they live and are less driven by materialism.

Brian Thornton

Chairman

Gloucestershire County Council