Don’t demonise them

I am writing in response to the letter Sinister Uniform (March 23) by Pat Huxtable.

Pat Huxtable is correct that the damage caused in and around the Naval War Memorial, and indeed other similar actions is unacceptable, we need the police to take action.

I am disappointed though that Pat is demonising our youth and wonder if she has really considered what she is saying. The reality is most of these young people are bored silly and see no hope and no way forward, they desperately need help to escape a vicious circle.

‘Hoodie-clothed youths/black to grey hoodies and trackies...they’re invisible.’ This type of clothing is hugely popular now because it is warm, functional, and reasonably priced.

Every generation has its uniform, in my day as a teenager of the 1960s the uniform was flared jeans or miniskirts and tights for the girls.

We had youth clubs and all sorts of after school activities to keep us engaged. We were an incredibly happy, ambitious lot and had it all to look forward to. We knew that nearly every one of us could expect a decent secure job when we left school or college. With equal pay for women just a whisker away, the world was our oyster.

Compare that with what is on offer today for our young people. If they are lucky there may be a group or club run by volunteers, but so often there is nothing because facilities no longer exist or because funding has been cut right back.

Now more than ever we need to address this. The local and county elections are in May. Look at what the councillors are doing in your area and if the answer is not much, vote for someone who will make a difference especially for our young people. In Havant where I live there is a sea of blue, so I would love to see a decent opposition or even a complete change of colour. Our councillors need to be challenged to bring about change like never before. I would urge everyone to register for a vote and to consider a postal vote if that is more convenient.

Jackie Renshaw Hayling Island