Excellent article and very interesting comments. As long as we all remain involved there is hope for a better future!

Ray Massart, Hombeek, Belgium

You reap what you sow...most of these supposed 'well intentioned' inititives were more about middle-aged feminists ensuring that their husbands don't ever get tempted by a nubile 17 year old girl. Or, as Rod Liddle has pointed out, masking our total and selfish lack of real concern for young people.

Bruno, London,

Confronting youths, or indeed anyone, involved in anti-social/illegal activity is fraught with danger- and to suggest the opposite is naive and, frankly, stupid. I am a fit man and have done this from time to time but I am aware that these actions are risky. You may be injured, unsupported or sued!

Keith, Newcastle, UK

The solution is simple, repeal a few laws! Start with the childrens act. Untie the hands of adults!

Daniel Heslop, Bournemouth, UK

MS says: 'They were only smoking, not robbing a bank'.

Not the point. Smoking is illegal in station premises.

Further, smoking is offensive to many people. It's inconsiderate of others.

'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing'.

Margaret Stoll, Rochford, Essex, England

I would agree 100% with the article if I were sitting in an office typing it but in real life ??? Why would anybody risk their own life to stop people smoking? The risk is way too great until the govt, the police and the so called 'human rights' issues are applied with a good dose of common sense

carol, Malvern, Worcs

Wakey wakey world this is the cold reality we face daily! You have to use your loaf to some degree if these two yobs were outside smoking surely it would have been simpler to move away, different I supose if they were in a waiting room or carrage.These people have no regard for the law!

Dave Farmer, Broxbourne, England

What is happening over there.You seem to be turning into a pretty gutless lot. I have been on the end of some stiff judgements in my time,and am now giveing it out. The Station Master concerned in this tragic matter should be told in no uncertain terms that his job is to protect the public.

Ian Ballantyne -Russell , Sydney, Australia

I made a 999 call to the police in Liverpool on a Saturday afternoon to report two teenagers on motorbikes who had a private race in a busy public park. It took the police about 30mins to send a single car, and the criminals escaped, of course. The key to public safety is an effective police force.

Peter, Liverpool, UK

Spot on D Cage! As a white middle class male, quite capable of taking care of myself , the anti-social conduct of the teen/20something hoodies doesn't stop me intervening. It is knowing that the laws favour leniency and that police hands are tied by ineffective apologist MPs & I'll have the record.

Phil , London,

David Cage is right, it is not just the fear of the “youth”, it is the fear that the police and criminal justice system will not back you up when the “youth” exact their revenge for your interference. Nowadays unless an attack ends in murder, the instigator is more likely than not to receive a suspended sentence. Or worst still, the police will treat you as the problem while the “youth” laugh at the cowardice and incompetence of the authorities and at your stupidity for believing that there is still such a thing as law and order.

Paul, MERSEYSIDE, UK

I'm uncertain whether all the blame should accrue to the two young people.
The heavy hand of society and government has long been increasing it its emnity for anything individualistic.
Legal yesterday, illegal today.
Overcrowded, over-regulated society creates anger.
Treat the cause not the effect.

Marion, London, UK

It is not the fear of the youths as such that would stop me it is the fear that the police will dutifully follow up any complaint and the state will fund the prosecution but I would be faced with the defence bill that would destroy me financially.

David Cage, Highworth, Wilts

Children need discipline not rights and until we understand that thuggery and mayhem will ensue.

Simon Marshland, Bath, UK

Some of the more low brow media fuel these fears. Middle class Britain is told by the media day in day out to fear 'hoodies', apparently kids are running round stabbing each other etc. The wold hasn't changed that much, our failing is believing everything we read in the papers

J Brown, London,

A good smack when younger - in junior school, would have sorted this out - but oh no, you PC people knew best and all the studies said it didn't work. Well it does work. No trouble like this in the mining villages - any adult sorted the youngsters out - and the child molester was soon dealt with.

Henry GB, Brampton, Cumbria

Good parenting skills are sadly lacking. Adults inconvenienced by children cannot cope. Our laws pander to enablers and support a culture of intimidation, entitlement. Respect for rules and laws are learned earlier, not later. Immature adults are the consequence. Haven't we all had enough?

Deb, Northants,

While the reaction of the two youths is completely unacceptable and deserves punishment, the fact is they were smoking not robbing a bank. In the "good old days" that Ms Russell harps back to this was a perfectly legal activity. Anyway the media said the same things then as they do now about youth.

MS, London,

Three boys broke into my house. I chased them in my car, made them stop, give me back my belongings and realise how much damage they'd caused me by breaking in. Reckless? Yes. Satisfying? Yes. A win-win for us all? Yes. I know it's not always possible but we can't let kids raise themselves.

Maggie, Melbourne, Australia

Trouble-making youngsters are very aware of their own 'rights' and exploit the situation. Police, teachers, the public - everyone - has to be extremely careful dealing with them in case one of their 'rights' is infringed. Until that changes, some youngsters will continue to behave like this.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Surely the law already does allow for self-defence? Seems like Staraw is trying to fix a problem caused by statute - and not by (common) law - in the first place. Typicla of govt: "fixing" thigns it'sdumb-handedness caused.

Bertie, London,

I am so astonished by the anger of today's young people - Violence seems to be the approach to any confrontation questioning their behavior - This has to stop - We all need to take a stand against this warped sense of free will to do anything regardless of whether it is acceptable in today's society

WTaylor, London, UK

Great! And so true not only in Britain, but all over Europe. Let´s hope both individuals and society as well as governments will wake-up while there is still time.
All the best to Linda Buchanan and every other courageous human being.

Marie, Linz,

I agree 100%. Britain has allowed itself to be dictated to by PC control freaks and has lost the plot. Children need to be sent to Sunday School to learn the Ten >Commandments and how to love fellow man. Parents need to be allowed to legally chastise their children again, even in public. So sad.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Disappointing no males helped at the railway. There are some, who have, and will intervene in certain situations. We are non-assuming, often office-workers. The recently revised law provides support to sometimes ridiculed 'good Samaritans'.

Good people must pull together, or individuals will suffer.

br, here, UK

There needs to be a complete review of our legal system . Lawyers seem to have lost sight of the fact that they are there to ensure a client is treated fairly and now do anything they can to get clients 'off the hook' . Bring back corporal punishment !

Mike, Bradford, England

"A substantial section of us now think that inconsiderate, disruptive or threatening behaviour isn’t the business of anyone but the police."

Yes.The police. The courts. Oh and the Govt.

rr, harrow,