AS A lad I lived at Grenofen, attended the Tavistock Junior and Grammar schools. I was a member of the school Cadet Corps, St John Ambulance Cadets and the Tavistock Church Tower Boys' Club. I was taught right from wrong and to respect other people and their property. At the age of 16 I joined the Royal Air Force and served my country for 34 years.
Last week my wife and I returned to Tavistock to visit my brother in hospital. It was then, at about 5.30pm on Easter Sunday, that we encountered 'Tavistock's Finest' — at least 15 drunken louts, one of whom smashed the mirror from my car as we drove slowly along Brook Street. Their numbers made it impossible for me to get out of the car.
I was surprised to learn that the police station is closed at night. No doubt this lack of police presence in the town encourages the yobs to roam the streets unchallenged.
I awoke next morning thinking it was all a dream. After all, hadn't Messrs Blair and Straw promised more police, to be tough on crime, to crack down on the yob culture? However, a repair bill of £156 said it was no dream.
Should you print all, or some, of this letter perhaps the moron who did it might read it; that is if he is capable of reading.
He may care to reflect that he frightened my wife and cost a pensioner money. He might also ask himself what he got out of it.
N H Mullen
3 Bourne Close
Horndean
Waterlooville
Hants