I would like to congratulate the 15-year-old correspondent (Letters, February 20) who wrote a most cogent and telling letter concerning her fears about violence and the threatening attitude of some young people in today's

society.

I fancy my English teacher from the Forties would have been most impressed had I been able to compose such a well-written letter.

As to the content of this girl's letter, I am afraid I see no way out from her very genuine predicament because of the gradual erosion of standards in the past decade or so.

I suspect if it were possible for any chief police officer to adequately police any large town on a Friday or Saturday night, with the instruction to enforce all laws, including those now regarded by the authorities as minor or non-essential, or both, by Monday morning the civil-liberties groups and certain sections of the media would be screaming police harassment, even though the police had merely been doing the job for which they are paid.

There would, of course, be certain misguided justification in making such protest because the nightly mayhem (not too strong a word) on our once-peaceful streets has become the norm and the minority are entitled to their "bit of fun".

The police chief would have to justify his "heavy-handed" action to persons even higher on the judicial ladder and he, of course, would remain isolated because we, the majority, would be fearful of voicing our support.

I do sincerely hope this young lady (and others) see a marked improvement in policing attitudes so they, too, can have a bit of fun during their teenage years. But I am sorry to say I am not very hopeful.

-Bryan A Wallis, Mapleleaf Gardens, Polegate