This is from the US, where problems abound. I agree with Ken S, because the parents have about as much control of the situation as the teachers do. I raised a grandson to age 20, and he got into the drug scene by age 12 in spite of my spending many hours with him and doing my best to keep him away from all of that. Last spring (2007) he witnessed a drug related murder, and that focused his attention. He kicked the meth habit, got a job and was straightening his life out. But two months ago he was killed, only five days before he was to testify about that murder, for the prosecution. He was lured into a private home, unarmed, and shot dead. The bait was his infant daughter. The DA will not even prosecute his killer, citing the make my day law (even though it excludes cases where a child or grandchild is involved)! One gets the feeling that the jurists and police are very culpable in this, and it seems clear that our new self defense laws will be used for premeditated murders.

Dr. John R. Wright, Cotter, Arkansas USA

Well said TPK, the only problem is more Police means more money, our goverment will just not spend money on Police that don't generate income (Speeding and on the spot fines), if they can't hit the motorist they're just not interested!!! they would rather spend a little less on "community officers" that have as much clout as a sponge hammer!!! and millions on smoking adverts that achieve diddly squat!!! lets get real, only the few know where the real problems are and they're not in goverment !!!!!

KEN S, SEDGEFIELD, COUNTY DURHAM

Despite what Jeremy says, the problem IS the police.

Last time I visited central London I walked for a whole day without seeing a single policeman on the beat. And even if there was one, what would they do if faced with trouble.

I contrast that with my home town of Melbourne, Australia. On most street corners in the CBD there will be a pair of police. They are armed. If somebody pulls a knife, the police shoot them. If they mouths-off at the police they get capsicum sprayed or Tazered.

The answer to street crime is to put lots of police on the streets with the mandate to use violence on troublemakers. Then you can walk the streets without fear.

As an aside I am always shocked at the easy availability of alcohol in England. Australian's have a reputation of being big drinkers, but you can't drink on the street here. In England... "waiting for a train? Have some beers", "On the train? Have some beers", "Walking down the street? Drink beer!" No wonder there is so much violence

Simon TPK, Melbourne, Australia

Mmmmm Hoodies !!!!! so they're tough !!!. I have a solution, bring our troops back from Irag and Afganistan, give the hoodies uniforms (with hoods of course) and send them out there........... then we'll see how tough they are.............. Problem sorted, everyones happy :-)

Ken S, Sedgefield , County Durham

erm.........isn't it about time your photograph bore some resemblence to 2008ish????

chrissy shipley, charlton, london

Spot on JC. Long time ago one could've argued parents ought to bring up their "kids" (aka animals) a bit better. But as you say, thatd be "like trying to train a hedgehog to smoke a pipe". No, we simply need to do what they do in China (who no leftist objects against because they're nice little commies over there): forced abortion on people getting pregnant who blatantly cant take care of their kids. Anyone slips through, bring back capital punishment and boot camp. And police worth their name (no "sir" Ian Bliar, that doesn't include you, we'll sack you 'cause you utterly FAILED). Zero tolerance a la NYC under Giuliani. Did I hear someone screaming "FASCIST!"...? No, you naive anarchist. It's called common sense. You just prefer roaming the streets ruining normal tax payers' lives but unforttunately for you, the majority prefers you in a jail far, far, far away...

Robert , London, UK

I LOVE YOU

however it seems that dads don't like you...hmm

Callaghan Doherty, Leeds,

why only a sub machine gun?

Steve, Southampton,

Good on you Mr C!! Reading your forthright advocacy of chavicide has certainly made my day!!! We could do with columnists like you, and political leadership with your down-to-earth sanity and guts, in New Zealand, a society so thoroughly corrupted by crim-loving so-called humanitarians and civil libertarians, penal reformers and others of similar ilk that law-abiding citizens who dare to defend themselves against assault, or their homes against invasion by predatory thugs, risk being treated as more criminal than their attackers.

Peter Tuffley, Christchurch , New Zealand

Hey Clarkson you are a genius.! My family and I are huge fans of your show Top Gear and I find myself agreeing with your comments nearly every time. I live in America and we have the same problems about teens as well. Liberals are trying to rule the world and the are doing a damn good job.

Jason Croteau, Webster , Ma

Mr Clarkson, you're spot on yet again. So....when you going to run for PM?? You'll get the backing of the majority of us forces boys. Go for it :)

Steve, Newquay, UK

I'm agree that the law has put the innocent member of the public in a very difficult position when confronted by a gang of hoodied tearaways. But instead of moaning about the sad angry crys out for help that these delinquent youth act out on a day to day basis, we as a community need to activey tackle the root cause of the problem. Education. We need to drastically shake up the way that education is portayed to children from less financially off communities, and get rid of the stodgy boring image that is held in the minds of many of these youths.
It cannot be stressed enough that the crucial point in a lot of these teenagers lives is 14-16.If they leave secondary school with some sort of idea wth what they want to do with their lives, and a decent set of grades, then there is hope that instead of heading off into the street, they will decide to take on an apprenticeship or further education. If a boy leaves school with no GCSEs and no aspirations, then the system has failed him.

T.K.J, Manchester,

Why is it i truly believe that is the only way to sort this country out? We have become a joke and it's depressing. Being 15 myself i'm often seen as another 'problem child'. A lot of children spend all their time indoor because, if we go out we are treated like murderers. Teachers need more power. The police need to get their act together, and these stupid parents need educating!

Aaron, Stockport, Manchester, England

yep! That sounds about right!

Geoff, Birmingham, UK