We need to keep tabs on our kids

Ibelieve South Derbyshire is a beautiful place to live – and that is reinforced every time i see another new home being built. i am delighted for the family who are going to move in because i know there is so much to enjoy here.

At one time i would also have known it was a good and safe place for parents to bring up their children but recent events have made me realise how drugs and gangs have crept into our communities and are blighting and taking lives.

i recently met our Safer Neighbourhoods sergeant, Tarj Nizzer, who was able to update me on the splendid work he and his team are doing to try to eliminate this element.

i also realise how much they depend on each one of us to give them the intelligence about individuals and suspect activity which sets them on the road to resolving the problems.

The recent judgement on the stabbing incident near the Odeon Cinema in the summer highlighted the dreadful things that happen when youngsters carry knives. The sad thing is when they make a threatening video to send out on social media they think they look like macho man. When they are dead or injured or in a police cell, they become what they always were – little boys or little girls.

These instances are always gangor drug-related and they have no place here in South Derbyshire and i pledge to do anything i can to help eradicate it from our lives.

it is not always easy for parents but we should all try to know where our youngsters are and what they are up to if we are to keep them and others safe. This is a sad topic for this time of year but i care about South Derbyshire and all its residents and do not want to see anyone else get hurt.

The only thing we should be thinking about is the happy times we are going to enjoy with our family and friends but unfortunately Covid is interfering once again.

i was hoping to be able to bring my dad out of his nursing home to enjoy his Christmas meal with his family but the home will not allow it. We are all disappointed but understand it is to protect all the residents.

i hope you are all getting together with your families, where you can, and that you enjoy some good food and a drink or two.

i want to thank everyone for all they have done throughout the pandemic, in particular those on the front line. Not just in the NHS but the shop workers who have been there throughout, the bus drivers and the binmen to name just some.

Finally, let me wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy, and hopefully Covid-free New Year.

■■The views and opinions of guest columnists do not necessarily represent those of either the Burton Mail or its staff