I WOULD like to respond to 'Thugs play graveyard dodgems' (August 15) about those who vandalized and destroyed Farnworth Cemetery.

As a human being I am ashamed of this cowardly act.

Only three days ago, I visited Farnworth Cemetery and was walking with a resident through Farnworth Park.

We visited the grave of Thomas Barnes, a legendary figure in Bolton's history who is buried there.

The park itself was in an appalling state.

Litter bins were full and had not been emptied. There were alcohol bottles scattered around the park and the podium stage where Gladstone made his memorable speech was vandalized and graffiti stricken. That evening, we drove past the park and the gates were left open.

Farnworth is a forgotten town. The police station opens when it likes.

Crime is the highest in that region and employment, housing and infrastructure are all in decline.

There is no incentive for youths and no investment in community care. Investment in Bolton is being channelled into areas where Labour councillors and MP Brian lddon have their own benefits.

Farnworth is a typical example. We need not just to eliminate crime but the fear of crime which then leads to more serious issues.

We need to educate our children from the home and teach them the basics to look after other people's property and to respect public property.

Farnworth is a town which has been taken for granted by Brian Iddon.

He seldomly visits the town. The Labour Party have created this South-east Bolton community forum to address the issues but they are only there to justify the new council cabinet set up by Labour.

The Conservative Party regard law and order as a fundamental priority and have taken steps to implement radical changes in a crime stricken Britain where crime figures are on the increase.

Radical measures need to take place in Bolton before we find ourselves in a position of despair and hopelessness.

Haroon Rashid

Prospective Parliamentary Conservative Candidate for Bolton South East

The Crossways

London