YOU can fully understand the frustrations and fears of Oakworth residents.

Missiles hurled at vehicles could cause serious injury, or worse.

And people, whether behind the wheel of a car or on foot, should be able to go about their daily business without being threatened and intimidated.

The actions of the youths are irresponsible beyond belief and yes, something needs to be done.

But setting-up armed, vigilante patrols is not the answer.

Confronting aggression with aggression can only lead to one thing – an escalation of the problem, and an increased risk to people's safety.

Clearly, the police have a major role to play in tackling this issue.

Resources may be stretched, but officers need to be seen in the area at the appropriate times – if not apprehending offenders, at least providing reassurance to villagers and a deterrent.

However, there is also a considerable onus on the community. Someone knows who these yobs are, and it is imperative that information is passed on to the police – for the sake of the young people themselves, as much as for anyone else.

And where are the parents when all this is going on?

Do they not wonder, or care, what their off-spring are doing?