THERE have been a number of grossly unpleasant incidents in Worcester over the last few weeks that have exceeded even contemporary standards of savagery.

Taxi drivers appear to be fair game for any repulsive, lager-drenched pinhead who thinks that violence and abuse is the perfect end to a night out. The attack on a blind man last month was another revolting example of the growing crisis on our streets.

Meanwhile, establishment figures of all political persuasions insist there's nothing basically wrong. They pretend that crime is committed by a tiny minority and most people are unaffected by it... life's fine and all those who say it's not are just being alarmist or cynical.

We need to understand something. Any mealy-mouthed authority figure still attempting to peddle this idiotic myth is misleading the public on a grand scale.

For the truth of the matter is that a culture of denial is now putting the quality of life in this country in great peril.

This newspaper recently carried a picture of Worcester MP Mike Foster with a local councillor and two community support officers near the scene of the latest travellers' depredations. Sure, it's a nicely-staged photocall - but what is it supposed to mean?

If you walk through the streets of Worcester late at night these days, you will find them virtually devoid of ordinary citizens.

Apart from wandering packs of noisy, intoxicated adolescents in Friar Street and the roads leading off from High Street, you see very few people you would label as being responsible adults.

The absence of sustained policing and the Government's 24-hour licensing laws have produced a lethal cocktail that will ultimately have to be tackled.

At some stage, politicians with real guts will emerge and see - not just demand - that action is taken. I can't wait for when that day comes.