Lunatics are taking over

Sir, – I am old, perhaps old fashioned and quite clearly , as my wife constantly reminds me , getting crabbit.

Why so?

Well, as I read and hear day after day about shortage of teachers, shortage of NHS staff and civil disturbances – mainly caused by people who misuse drugs – and realise that much of the problem centres on a complete absence of discipline I begin to think the lunatics have taken over the asylum.

As an example I quote the experience of a young lady who remonstrated with a bunch of children who had used an axe to cut down trees in a public walkway to make a bonfire.

Two previous fires had required the services of the fire brigade so the concern was genuine.

A 12- year-old boy brandished his axe and impolitely asked what business did she have to tell them what to do.

She managed to wrestle the axe from the boy and, after wrapping it in a cover, took it to a police station where she was told to come back later as it was time for a shift change.

On her return with her husband they were advised that no police action would take place because there was no point in wasting time dealing with a complaint against a minor which would not be taken forward.

However, enough of complaining.

I also happen to think Scotland is a great place for foreign visitors to take a holiday.

The international reputation we have for friendliness, the beauty of our countryside and the high repute of our hotel industry will, in my opinion, far outweigh the mystique of dual language road signs, the Gaelic part of which hardly anyone who lives here can understand.

A A Bullions. 6 Glencairn Crescent, Leven.