I READ an article in Saturday's BEN about the problems of John and Brenda Roberts in their shop on Springfield Road, Kearsley.

I have known the owners of the shop for more than 15 years and they have done a splendid job in serving the whole community and they have worked many hours and are always friendly to all their customers.

I was absolutely disgusted to read of the problems that they are having with yobs/scum. The problems seem to be getting

worse. I have lived on the estate for fifteen years and I have noticed especially over the last few months kids as young as 12 and up to around 18 hanging about outside the shop. I have had children asking me to buy alcohol and cigarettes for them but, of course, I have told them no.

What I find hard to believe is the fact the police don't have the resources to deal with these yobs. I have seen the police drive past the shop on many occasions when there have been groups of up to 20 yobs hanging about outside the shop. I thought police have the powers to disperse these yobs and make them move on.

I think the council have a lot to answer for. What is there for the kids of that age group to do? What has happened to the youth clubs? The problems have to be looked at from the point of view on an estate where the kids are bored and have nothing to do so they congregate at a point which happens to be the shop on Springfield Road.

The parents also have a lot to answer for as well as they should know where there children are and should teach them respect and stop this yob attitude.

I feel deeply for John and Brenda as they are a respectable couple who don't deserve what is happening to them. We can all do something as parents and stop the kids from hanging about outside that shop. I hope that John and Brenda keep the shop going and don't let the yobs win and I hope the parents of these children realise it is their children who are doing this and put a stop to it.

Mr David Kelly,

Ash Road,

Kearsley,

Bolton.