Ongoing problems of anti-social behaviour

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour have once again been big issues in my Postbag. There are a number of communities across Shepway who are suffering persistent and recurring anti-social behaviour. In some of the cases progress has been made. By working together, the Police, Council, Social Services and other agencies have focused a lot of attention of these cases. This is good news. However, in order to work properly, this 'multi-agency' working needs a lot of time and resources, particularly from the Police. My view is that the Police need more Officers who can be assigned to these types of situations so that more cases can get the attention they deserve.

Last Monday, I was invited to address the Sixth Form at The Harvey Grammar and then to talk to a politics class. Many people say that young people are not interested in politics. My experience on Monday certainly shattered that view. The questions were incisive and delivered with great enthusiasm.

Fox Hunting with dogs is to be banned. I totally and unreservedly support this ban. One of the main arguments tabled by the pro hunters is that hunting with hounds is less cruel than controlling fox numbers by other means. This is simply a null and invalid argument. The main point is that it is morally offensive to elevate such an activity to a social event, whatever the level of cruelty inflicted on the animal. Cruelty to any animal should never be the centre of a social occasion.