SIR: Like many Boltonians I have been horrified by the recent BBC1 programmes on joyriding with much of the action taking place in my prospective constituency.

According to the Greater Manchester Police 875 cars are stolen each week. The force has a team devoted to following and catching joyriders which includes a helicopter with heat sensing cameras. I wonder how much much all this costs the taxpayer? Not to mention the money lost in insurance claims and stress suffered by victims.

Thankfully, the Conservatives tried to tackle this problem in the early '90s with legislation against aggravated driving. However, more needs to be done to deal with the under 17s. It is my view that such 'villains' are the responsibility of their parents and teachers. Consequently fines or deductions in social security benefits should be levied on the parents. In

addition, the council should emulate the USA and introduce compulorsory 're-parenting schemes' to remind parents that discipline begins in the home. Finally schools must be clear in their role of teaching the difference between right and wrong, with teachers and especially headteachers acting as positive role models to make up for any failure in

the home.

Paul Carter, Conservative Party

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

for Bolton South East.

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