TWO days ago, in the wake of David Cameron's call for a "national citizens' service" for 16-year-olds, we stressed the need to keep the so-called yob culture in perspective and resist fuelling the perception that our streets have been taken over by young thugs.

We must not forget that most of our streets are safe and the majority of young people are decent citizens.

It is a view which needs to be underlined in response to Government plans to install metal detectors in hundreds of schools across England as part of a drive to reduce knife crime.

We consider the introduction of knife scanners as a terribly sad, but necessary, step. But again, the measure must be kept in perspective.

We believe that the scanners should be restricted to schools where headteachers have justifiable concerns about gang violence.

Where knife crime is high in the local community, it is right that schools take pro-active steps to protect pupils.

But we must resist the temptation of a generalised approach which is out of context with the problem.

Reality check

AFTER all the euphoria of Kevin Keegan's return to St James' Park, a 0-0 draw at home to Bolton at the weekend was an anti-climax for Newcastle United fans.

Keegan's comeback has generated huge optimism and he has said all the right things about striving to bring the good times back.

And while a drab goal-less draw wasn't the fairytale start that had been hoped for, it served as a reality check which may help stop the dreamers getting too carried away.