I could hardly be described as the greatest fan of Sussex Police but I have to defend their action in the case of three-year-old Dwayne Pease, who threw a stone at a car (The Argus, April 2).

This was not a trivial matter. People have died in similar incidents.

If taught the concept of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, a three-year-old is perfectly capable of grasping it.

The emphasis is on the teaching. I am sure this lad's parents are highly responsible and would have ensured their child appreciates the seriousness of his action without police intervention.

It is, however, sadly evident that many of society's present troubles stem from the fact that offenders were never disciplined, set an example or made aware of possible consequences when they were young enough to be receptive to ideas of socially responsible behaviour.

It is usually the police who end up picking up the pieces, so they can hardly be blamed for employing "pre-emptive strikes" - if I may use such a currently contentious phrase.

Most of the time they take stick for doing too little.

In the early years of parenthood, it can be much harder work to consistently correct anti-social behaviour and encourage responsible behaviour than to turn a blind eye but the extra effort will pay dividends in the future.

Be assured that if you take the easy way out now you will almost certainly suffer the consequences a few years down the line.

I get tired of parents of teenagers bleating "I can't do anything with him (or her)" when so often the truth is they never bothered to try until it was too late.

It is also essential to remember that children learn from what you do more than what you say.

If you steal, drop litter, fly-tip, park where you like, swear, spit and worse in public and generally behave anti-socially you can be sure your child will follow your example, no matter what you tell him or her.

Do you really imagine, for example, that a child will accept being forbidden to smoke by a parent who puffs 40 a day?

Some time ago I apprehended a child of about ten breaking windows. When I said I would tell his father, he was amused: "My Dad won't care. He laughed when I bricked a shop window."

Sadly, my experience led me to believe him. While such attitudes prevail, what chance is there for a decent society?

-Vince Wild, Bodiam Close, Brighton