Another week has passed and with it yet further evidence that anti-social behaviour is spiralling out of control.

It gives me no pleasure to point out that the dangers of which I warned in this very column last week have already materialised.

In Rochdale, a man was dragged out of a pizzeria, beaten and kicked to death by a gang of yobs, apparently after being unable to provide them with a light for a cigarette. Two males and two girls aged between 14 and 18 have been arrested.

Meanwhile, in Cornwall, a night of rampage by yobs starts with 20 vehicles being vandalised and ends with the death of a father of five, who protested after his home was pelted with stones and eggs.

In both incidents, local people report that youths have been causing havoc in the area for some time.

The comments of Det Sgt Andy Burdon, the officer leading the Cornwall murder inquiry, bear reflecting upon.

He said: "One question that has to be asked is: 'Why are parents allowing their 14 or 15-year-old children to run around the streets and cause trouble between midnight and 2am'?''

The dead man's widow added: "The parents are a disgrace. They just don't care what they get up to. It is no wonder these youngsters are running wild and making people's lives hell. They are drinking and taking drugs on the street at all hours but their parents do nothing to stop them."

It was noticeable that no-one from the "alleged" civil rights group Liberty had anything to say on the matter.

I say "alleged" civil rights group because Liberty seem to show not the slightest concern nor compassion for the civil rights of the law abiding majority of this country.

Last week I suggested that parents should stand alongside their children when they appear in court and give an undertaking to do all they can to keep them under control. If the youth re-offends, then the parents should also be held culpable and punished as the court sees fit.

Remember, when a child is before a court it is very rarely the first step, by that stage offenders have had plenty of chances.

Liberty immediately condemned the proposal that parents should be held accountable in such a way. They branded the idea "mad" and waffled on about long-term reforms and the rights of criminals.

Well, I've long advocated early intervention and education in the fight against crime. But perhaps Liberty can explain to the latest victims of yob Britain, the bereaved families trying to cope with the loss of loved ones, how they would stem this tide of lawlessness in the short term.

What do Liberty intend to do NOW about protecting the civil rights of people who live in fear in their own homes? The truth is that Liberty will not do anything to make Britain's streets safer, they expect the majority to keep quiet and accept the situation.

Well, I'm not prepared to do that. It's time for the Government to back up its tough words on crime with tough action. I repeat what I said in this very column last week. If we are to seriously tackle anti-social behaviour then we have to send a clear message out that such offending will not be tolerated. Otherwise the problem will worsen until we are powerless to tackle it.

Anti-social behaviour is the biggest threat to our society. The Government must act now and one of the first steps should be to ensure that parents start taking responsibility for the actions of their children.

Published: 01/07/2005