RE your article about the Crook Detached Youth Project's lack of funds (Echo, some editions, Apr 26), I feel I have to put another version.

The article stated that, according to Durham police, there had been a 16.4 per cent drop in rowdy and nuisance behaviour since the project started.

Well, this may be the case in the town centre, but it is certainly not the case where I live in the town.

Since a new play area on Thistleflat Road was built, young people have congregated there every night.

I often see young children with their parents using the play area for its proper use. But come dusk and the thugs arrive.

I have had the "pleasure" of walking past them and getting foulmouthed comments aimed at me.

Not to mention empty cans and bottles of alcohol, broken glass and used condoms strewn all over the area and surrounding areas.

The noise they make is ridiculous and goes on until well after midnight on many an occasion. I do not have a problem with the play area in general if it is used by the children it was built for. But this is not the case.

Name supplied, Crook, Co Durham.