WERE you ever a teenager? Did you ever hang about in the street with your mates? Did you talk and should loudly and maybe swear a bit because your mom and dad were not around? Well, I know I did, and I am just a normal person who you probably wouldn't give a second look at.

But, unfortunately for the teenagers in our area, you can't do that as the police will stop you, intimidate you and send you home.

Teenagers today must stop in, learn to knit and embroider little things to hang on chairs. Don't let them walk together in groups of more than two. Don't let them go to Bromsgrove and, if they see friends, stop and talk to them. Don't worry that these kids are our future and live and work in our little town. Push them away so strangers come and live here - who will probably mug you because you don't know who they are or where they live.

Wouldn't it be better to get to know these kids? They probably live in the same street they hang around in. You probably know their parents. They probably are not as bad as you think.

Yes - ok, there are a few kids who are not so nice. But not all of them are bad. Give them a chance, give them respect. Give them a smile. Don't forget - you were young once.

Name and address withheld