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

It's all about respect and aspiration.
I used to drink cider in parks aged 12 and 13 and by 17 had probably consumed enough drugs to kill a decent sized horse, but my friends and I all had a sense of social decency instilled in us by our parents, school... And most importantly, EACH OTHER.
I most of us knew we could make something of ourselves if we didn't get arrested or cause undue friction at home. We never smashed up bus stops or snapped sapplings because it just didn't seem worth it. I can't understand why kids think it's cool to cause such social carnage. It seemed much more important to us to get wasted, grope, snog, look into the sky and believe we could eat the moon, whatever, and LEAVE AS LITTLE EVIDENCE AS POSSIBLE so we wouldn't get expelled from school, grounded by our parents, or arrested.
We wanted to get on in life, and from my peer group most of us have, in varied fields. Being a wreck-head teenager isn't the main problem. A total lack of aspiration is.

Andy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA (formerly Lancashire)

Bravo, I applaud you Mr. Clarkson! I may be a young shit at 19 (almost 20) but even I deal with children here in California who think they own me and the street I walk on. I am proud that someone, like you, has the balls to come out and face this issue without "sugar coating" it. I shall read your column more often.

Tony Cassara II, Los Angeles, California

Spot on Mr.Clarkson as usual
I totally agree with you and i myself have seen everything first hand. In India, teachers are allowed to hit/slap pupils for not doing things right, and i remember i even got a couple of slaps just for a simple addition mistake! That gave us the incentive to try and do well in class, so here i am and i owe a debt to those teachers who kept me in shape (mentally). Gladly i only live in Salisbury so only a few chavs comparatively, but i know how you feel.
Jeremy you should really go for PM. You would definitely get mine and millions of others support.

Rishabh, Salisbury, UK

Mr Clarkson,
I am in total agreement with you, i am a serving soldier who has seen service Northern Ireland, Rwanda, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bosnia , Iraq and Afhganistan, and if my two children ever Disrespected anyone, i would love to know as i would punish either one suitably (i hope it would never happen anyway) I would like to have thought after they had left the house they would have been better than that. However It's the same Youth that hold the line in Musa Qala etc.!

Mr Douglas Porter, Colchester, Essex

And yet Clarkson thinks America is the one with the problems. I've lived here in the US for 26 of my 27 years and have never once had the kind of problem that Jezza describes. Maybe the UK should work on becoming the kind of awesome place that the US already is.

Jethro, Lawrence, KS

Jeremy for PM of Australia. Wwe have the same problems, and more legislation than just about any other place on Earth. You can't even defend yourself against an intruder here without having charges of assault against you (and I'm speaking from personal experience).

Florian, Sydney, Australia

Jeremy, I think the article is a gross exagerration. And the "normal people" are also those kids on the streets. They are not a real threat, the "normal people" are the threat to them, unfortunatelly. I wouldn't give u my vote, because you do not understand the problem here.

Bea, Dundee, UK

Clarkson for PM!!!

Vivian, Fulham, UK

Jeremy, you should run for PM one day. This country desperately needs someone with some common sense to get it out of becoming a chav haven where no-one takes responsibility for their actions and everyone has "rights".

You could also get rid of those pesky bus lanes on the M4!

Nicholas, Weybridge, UK

Sorry if I'm drifting a bit off topic but I think a Tory minister (can't remember which one) suggested putting contraceptives in methadone.
Naturally, he was derided and called names by labour and sturdy shoe wearing, soap avoiding types.
I think it's a genius idea, it late for this generation granted, but it could prevent the next generation of useless air wasters from even happening.

To get back on topic, why don't we just push for hoodie wearers to be declared enemy combatants and then we could get rid of the little darlings with impunity?

Bruce, Kennoway, Fife

"and you give the teacher in charge immunity from criminal charges. And a sub-machinegun. "

Jeremy, I urge you to watch the movie Battle Royale ;) :
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/

Martijn, None, The Netherland

With most kids its a case of monkey see monkey do. They learn by observing their parents and teachers, when they see the adult figures in their lives acting well they will act in a similar way.

100 years ago children were working hard and being cained when they didn't. They had a place in society and this meant they would act appropriately. Now they are stuck in education until 16 and never see their parents. This has led to them not knowing how to act in puplic and to lazy to get a job.

Jamie, st albans, herts

"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."

TKJ, your talking tripe. Many of these kids out on the streets are younger than 14. As others have said, it has nothing to do with the education system. It is the lack of discipline instilled in these children from an early age. Its 2 year old children being allowed to stay awake until silly o'clock, rather than being set a strict bed time regime as a prime example. It's also parents inability to teach social skills, saying please and thank you - are you trying to say that children should be taught these social skills and manners in schools as well? As a newly qualified teacher, I'm already spotting behaviours in children as young as 5-6 years old. And people blame the education system/blame teachers? Please do us a favour and charter an aircraft to take yourself and these little chavs to a large iceberg in the Antarctic - we'll give you enough fuel to fly one way.

James, Swansea,

Immunity from prosecution and a sub-machine gun, I agree is the perfect way to deal with them.

Also some bright spark also coined the idea of a license to have kids. Again also a brilliant idea. Might seem a bit eugenic, but I believe some people are just too thick to have kids, and need educating before their able to have any. I am honestly sick and tired of reading sob stories in the paper of a single parent, with 4,5,6 and some times 7 or 8 kids, on the benefit, complaining they have no money. STOP HAVING KIDS AND GET A JOB THEN!!!

Michael W., Christchurch, New Zealeand

I completely agree with you! What happened to the days when you could have a nice time out in town with out feeling threatened or intimidated! I'm 21 and I see to many people being idiots for no reason! Low bordem thresholds and maybe not enough money to afford anything fun! Kids do ignore their Teachers aswell! Something needs to be done NOW!

John, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Jeremy is 100% right! I'm a 21yo male, I've never bothered anyone-anywhere, and yet still I've been attacked many times, while on my own, by groups of teenagers, for no reason. Doesn't the police realise that some of these kids are gonna be tomorrow's criminals?

Konstandinos, Patras, Greece

I have just recently turned 18 but to me more then honest i actually look like a 12 year old, I am not very tall and have a young looking face, but most of the people i see who are at school look more like there 17-21, i see more people who are 4 years younger then me getting into clubs and pubs without being asked for id where as im always carrying my passport around. as Jeremy said he was unable to tell the age of the kid who was bothering him, are the new generation of kids growing up and maturing so fast that its impossible to tell if this if its a little 8 year old kid who is asking for your wallet who you should just tell to go home and play his computer games and stop wasting your time or a 17 year old hoodie who’s carrying a knife and willing to use it to hurt you and take your wallet or phone.

Adam Taylor, London, England

Davoid,

Outside of particular deprivation 'hotspots' your argument falls seriously short. Yes there are glass ceilings, and but for very few exceptions, there is potentially a limit to your achievement from the minute you are born. However, it's not that pre-defined. I am in my early 30s and have a respectable job for which I am paid a sum parallel to your example... five of my closest school friends live in similar, if not better, circumstances. What do we have in common? Well for a start we ALL come from working class backgrounds, we all attended a bog standard 'failing' comprehensive, and we were all brought up to know the difference between right and wrong and the benefits of hard work.

People can complain all they like but the playing field is leveller than it ever has been and yet people like you still choose to deny the importance of people taking responsibilty for their own actions.

All we hear about these days are rights... what happened to responsibilities?

Harry, St Albans, UK

Jeremy for PM!

I'm 18 and I live in Chichester, which is supposed to be a nice place full of rich retired old people, but there are still hundreds of chavs everywhere you look. You can no longer escape them!!

Rosalie, Chichester, Sussex

It's an inferiority complex probably. Has anyone else noticed that teenagers are looking younger and younger these days? When I left secondary school a few years back, none of the individuals in the years below me looked like they were even old enough to be there. I suppose this leads some of the more insecure ones to feel the need to assert themselves by using violence and threats. Bless 'em.

Olivia , London,

I totally agree ! Unfortunately this problem is spreading.

Mark, Montreal, Canada

Nice one Clarkson,
I am a 13 years old teenager and think the school is a better place with less fool, fooling around and picking on young kids.

That just show they are bunch of failures who got nothing to do, and I think it's better for them to get lost.

It seems to me that they have parents who overprotect their cchild and when they have problems, they just can't handle it.

MT, HK, China

As a highschool teacher I agree 100%!!!!

Patsy, Sydney, Australia

I couldn't agree more

Tobias, Stockholm, Sweden,

Well, the one (and only) thing the United States has going for it is people are less willing to attack you because they don't know if you have a gun or not.

The downside is they almost always definitely have guns.

Tom Enlow, Ojai, California, USA

Well Done, Jeremy
The parents of theirs might never understand who their kids are, how their kids are doing. And I understand there is series restriction from British law, if someone was attacted by teenagers in UK. I think the British gov should wake up, unless the future of GB would be destroied by the their next generation.

Corolla, Beijing, P.R.China

Clarkson is an utter legend,

That kit should be hanged for even looking at him.

Phillip morgan , neath,

You need a license to drive a car, but anyone can have a kid. Hmm...

Paul, Sydney, Australia

Labour, benefits, useless teenagers that become parents for money only to raise the next generation of criminals, who don't work because of acne...
My goodness, if only I could, I would use Type 67-2 machine gun on them... (And destroy their mobile phones, with bloody MP3's they play for everyone to not enjoy)

The problem is, some British people have become lazy, looking for easy solutions in life. And His Highness Tony Blair allowed them to do just that to secure the votes.

I symphatise with you fully, because you're not the only one encountering such absurd from teenage idiots. And I do think something should be done about them - FAST.

And off the subject: I'm in the middle of reading The World According To Clarkson vol.2. Great one. :)

Monika, Southampton, UK

I myself am 18 and live in Canada. And if I were to ever bump into you i wouldn't be harassing i'd start talking about cars! But its true around the whole world about teens and their groups. They tend to think they are at the top of the line when it comes to being in groups.

Andy, Vancouver, Canada

I have to agree with Jeremy.
Kids are risen up wrongly. And the result is that they have no respect for their own life.
Of course, it's a big problem with undereducated parents. They have no idea how to rise children and they can't teach them anything. It's just sad.

Risto, Tallinn, Estonia

Sucks to be you Jeremy...

And I say this because if you where a regular joe like most of us you would have gotten away with kicking the kid's behind. Hell, you wouldn't have been in that situation if you didn't drive cars on TV every week, not counting the weeks Top Gear is off the air.

Parents nowadays are useless. My dad would kick my behind if I did anything remotely stupid. He was, and still is an authority figure. It's not okay to correct your kids with a slap on the "wrist" anymore. Right, and that is part of the reason why they are out of control. They know no one can touch them, they are NOT the ignorant creatures us adults think them to be. Schools can't do anything about it, it all starts and ends with the parents.

And I know if I ever get children (got the married part over with, December 9th it's one year!) , I'll be "NAZI" dad. Listen... Behave... Stand in Line... or else...

Cees Vendrig, USA, Texas

Big problem with that happens everywhere. Parents must be called to respond for their childrend deeds. That and forced labor for plus-14 years old. School in the morning, civic work in the afternoon.

Nuno AR Oliveira, Sintra, Portugal

HI JEREMY
You should set up your own version of UTUBE and call it
There We Are Then. [Check out the beging letters] and then we all could send in footage of hoodies and other such gangs
getting exsposed for there wrong doing.

steve parry, cardiff, wales

Jeremy you are indeed the ideal candidate for as you say the one day a week job running this country please do and while you are at it send these yobs to a little place called Afganistan along with the moronic parents and let the Taliban shoot at them rather than our brave soldiers i dont suppose for one minute they will take notice of your accurate piece of literary excellence as they probably can't read anyway but WELL DONE!! maybe you can have a section on Top Gear on the ENCAP ratings of Hoodies Head on a Peugeot yet that would no doubt not hurt thnaks Jeremy for you ever endearing column keep it up !!!!!

Richard, Rugby, UK

The root cause is children being raised by unqualified parents. We should prevent these people to have offspring to start with.
What makes us believe that everyone is qualified to raise a child?

Maxime, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Totally agree! I am embarrased about the way that these kids behaved.

I have problems every now and again in Milton Keynes but not to this extent (Im not Famous!!)

Its not much better in Bedford or Northampton either.

Maybe I should get a place in Chipping Norton? Maybe you could give me a lift when my Top Gear show tickets arrive (in 50 million years).

Gareth Packer, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Hahah Jeremy, you are god!
Jeremy For Prime Minister!

Bobo, Melbourne, Australia

You should just take care of that kid... and take the hit. I mean, you're probably bigger than any of the guys in jail anyways(not fatter, just bigger, proportionately)... plus if they did beat you up in jail, who would then review the cars they wished they drove?

Will J., Seattle, Washington, USA

Stop smoking then.

Kev, Isle Of Man,

Jeremy Clarkson for Prime Minister !!!!!!!!!!
Thats what we need.

P Nelson, brignorth, shropshire UK

And over here, across the pond, we see the same things happening Jeremy. Sadly here it's the liberals saying "these poor children, they've been treated bad their whole lives, they need an outlet..." It just angers me to no end. But then I know it's worse for you over there... it's sad you can't even have real weapons. As for me, I'm glad to proudly display my carry and conceal weapons permit around my college campus, at work, or on the road. It is one freedom I'll never give up. I wish you didn't have to either.

Cheers good man.

Christofer Sears, St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA

Crazy kids and their Drugs :0

Andrew Edwards, Geelong , Vic, Australia

I have to say that Jeremy acted with what appears to be considerable restraint given the degree of provocation which must have caused it. These young hoodlums have no respect for others or themselves having been raised in a society where "me first" is the order of the day, they clearly knew who he was and just as clearly orchestrated the event with malice in order to gain some sort of notoriety from the result. I am afraid Jeremy was another victim of the "happy slap" craze current among our lawless youth of todays society raised by parents who know no shame and have no idea of the concept.

Ian Ross, Glasgow, Scotland

And I thought this only happens here...

Clearly something should be done about those parents. They do not deserve to raise their children.

Omer Korner, Haifa, Israel

I think we have this problems everywhere, atleast you can see this nearly all over europe. The problem is the parents! When they let their childrens do what they want, even defending them when they get caught and back home have no time to talk about it and other problems. Instead turning on the TV and leaving them by side! I really hate to see that childrens/teens nowadays have no respect for other people, but they want to be treated like adults.

I think they should introduce some kind of parenting license, just like you need a drivers license to drive a car.
I mean it really can't get worser than this, that a adult man, at some point has to fear for his live when smoking a cigarette and can do nothing about it!
I hope that the politicians start doing something about this, so that people like me (adults), are threated with respect!
And parents, DO YOUR JOB AND START PARENTING!

Michael Panneflek, Enschede, Netherlands

Clarkson, Well done.
I might be a teenager, but my views are just like yours, i walk down my local town center (Northampton, which is very close to Milton Keynes) and i see other teens, some i know, acting like idiots. One guy tried to set one of my mate's hair on fire with a modified lighter. One tip Jeremy, if something like this happens to you again, step back a bit with your hands in the air, make it look like u don't want a fight (even if they are only 8) and then if they move in for u, use appropriate force, and the best bit is, they will be filming it, so the public will get to see how they attacked u first. And besides, if u were to fall into trouble, you have a decent proportion of the British public on your side.

Aaron Barber, Northampton, England

Jeremy you are a legend!

I agree, these scum should be shot on sight, they have too many rights.

If you were a politician I would vote for you.

Stephanie Lakeman, West Midlands, UK

I'm a teenager and I totally agree with what you say Jeremy. You are 110% right. Brilliantly put. I only wish the people in government were as sensible thinking as you.

Sam, Swindon,

Yes - "the youth today! What's to be done!"

I think I've heard this before; say, like in all the stories I've ever heard about the 1960s. "These kids today".

I agree with nearly 100% of what JC has to say about cars, traffic laws, Ken Livingston and anything else automotive-related. But he's a bit socially daft.

Jeremy Clarkson, meet the paparazzi, because that's effectively what these kids were. These kids did nothing wrong. Admit it. They were pestering a celebrity to get a rise out of him, and they succeeded. They suck, yes, but the only course of action is to fight their fire with water: cool and calm. If you try to fight fire with fire in these instances, you will suddenly realize you have fallen asleep only to have woken up in 1943. In Berlin.

Nate, Somerville, MA

I guess this is the trend with most teenagers throughout the world, including here as well. Well said JC and you are right, something has to be done about this.

Reza, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I agree with every single word you've written this Sunday. I now have a 2nd person opinion to present to the other half that I am not alone in my thoughts on this matter! Brilliant! Number 10 looming?
Alec, Cheshire.

Alec, Cheshire,

I was standing there holding this boy by the scruff of his neck, and instead of worrying about being stabbed I was actually thinking, 'I'm going to get done for assault if I'm not careful'

Pretty much sums it up for me!

P.Crittenden, Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom

I feel so sorry for him, just trying to have a fun day out with his family and he gets pested by halfwits who think there clever. I stand by him on this and I hope that this does not go any further.

Natalie, manchester,

Petty criminals, soccer hooligans, shoplifters, grafitti artists, vandals and Clarkson-bothering hoodies etc., should be forced to swim through a 'sheep dip' filled with a long-lasting biological stain; malachite green may suit the bill. For as long as they are green (about 6 weeks) they will be denied access to public transport, denied service in shops and pubs, harrased mercilessly by the police in the street, and be a legitimate target for a boot up the ar*e from any passing law-abiding citizen.

Nomad, East Anglia,

Have just read also that Jeremy has been questioned regarding this. OK they have to look into it but, as a normally non violent person, I'd love to get hold of these numb brain kids (and their parents) and inflict the same and worse to them then banish them to outer space. Just because we are the adults does not give numpties the right to abuse, threaten and attack us. I stand by Jeremy and hope this matter is over for him. I will add that I am the mother (yep I'm a woman) of a 10 year old and if anyone so much as hints that she is up to no good, then I'll do a Jeremy on her myself. I will not stand for that behaviour from anyone.

Helen, Dundee, Scotland

I would vote for you !

Steve, Beds,

Although it sound a bit drastic, bu it might the only solution, not only in the UK but here in Portugal as well.
Fortunatelly our kids here in Portugal still don't carry machetes and sub-machine guns, they prefer to use their fists and legs.
But there will come a day when not even the airport metal detectors and submachine guns will be of any good.
We have to start tackling this problem now with tough measures like the ones used in maximum security prisons.
The only solution is to turn schools into recruitment camps, to teach these kids some sense of discipline and respect.

Hélio Martins, Gaeiras, Portugal

Nice article, you raised some good points there.

zer0day, London,

Absolutely brilliant ... i have to say i have been in a similar position and to make things worse i had to fight off the parents as well ( because they were defending their little pumpkins )...

Alex, Oxford, United Kingdom

We aren't all like that, but I have to say you're right. My Mum and Dad taught me how to behave and to respect people ect. and I'm a good girl. But then people like that wear hoodies so you can't see their faces and I get evil looks for wearing mine in town. They [u] should [/u] all just be put in one class, that way people like me could actually get some work done! And I've said (much to my Citisenship teacher's and classes disgust) out teachers should be able to cane us, it would certainly stop the majority of people, afteral what does sending you out of the class do: NOTHING!
So go Jeremy!

Kirsty, Middlesbrough,

Totally agree with what JC did!!! I think all these little toe rags need is a "National Community Service" - either Army, Ambulance, Fire services...Imagine if they had to deal with drunks on a friday night or clean up the mess from other local hoddie scum...they would get to see it from another angle.
...sadly sometimes giving a smack is the answer and some 'kids' give 'smacks', so they should learn to take them. I don't care if they are 14 or 18, most of em need a slap - if i had my way they would get 2 weeks in the Paras!! How long can we keep turning blind eye???

Steve M, London, UK

Well done Mr Clarkson. I am both a former police officer and a former youth and community worker - the point being that I have seen and worked with anti social behavior from the traditionally more conservative police perspective and the more liberal social work perspective.

I've seen both sides of the coin, so I believe I can make certain judgments of what is society is to blame for and what kids just needing to be punished are to blame for. In this instance I give Mr Clarkson my complete support.

It's not as though he physically abused the person, or even assaulted him in the literal sense. Okay, so if you follow the letter of the law it is assault to even touch someone, but the spirit of the law suggests that Mr Clarkson was acting in a manner to prevent a potential crime, be it harassment or breach of the peace as he obviously felt harassed or intimidated by these youths.

You must be allowed to defend yourself, both from actual violence or the threat of violence or intimidation.

Ritch Bartlett, Thetford, Norfolk

Well done Jeremy! I was always told by my parents as a child that attack was the best form of defence and it always works, especially with school bullies. I don't buy into the "deprived" excuse given for child behaviour like this. You see I was brought up in a working class background and we didn't have much but we were taught respect for our elders, religions etc. I was taught to give up my seat on the bus for my elders, pregnant women etc, hold doors open for people and that the words please and excuse me would get me far. At school we sat in silence until we were invited to speak by the teacher. If we didn't behave we were punished either the belt or a ruler over the back of our calves or knuckles. It didn't do me or my classmates any harm and to this day I look upon those teachers with great affection. They were hard but fair with us and if I told my parents I had been punished they didn't march up to the school crying "human rights" they punished me also for shaming them.

Rhona Cameron, Edinburgh, Scotland

Good on you, Jeremy. Stuff the pollies, kids these days really need someone to put them straight. I really hate it how most kids (I apologise if you are one of the other kids) these days are getting more arrogant every day.

Winston, Sydney, Australia

Look at that, a Singaporian wants you in power. Now you know it shouldn't be.

Angus Cheng, Hong Kong,

JC is right,the prpblem is with these thick parents and bad education

sonyxxx16, buchares, Romania

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Clarkson, teacher should be given back their power like when our parents were in school. I remember stories from my parents about teachers making kids cry because they misbehaved in class, why can't they do that anymore? Clarkson for US president please.

Jeff Sloan, Kent, Ohio, US

what a breath of fresh air --- someone at last has the guts , not only to make a stand against these low-life, but says publicly what any decent englishman really thinks.

dick smith, london, uk

I think parents must take interest in what their children are doing. Not just say "he can do what ever he feels like".

I hope that noone of these children will stab me when i'm driving a bus at my work. :)

Björn, Uppsala, Sweden

The big difference between Milton Keynes and Chipping Norton/Notting Hill: 50-100K median income. If you want to maintain a society that is highly unequal in terms of wealth and opportunity, which includes the big one - education (there's your stupid parenting) - then you will have people who realise the system is stacked against them from birth to death, who therefore have no respect, and actual animus, against the "haves". Their evidence is everywhere: high public school entry to Oxbridge, London house prices linked to City bonuses, nonproductive investors/speculators given huge tax breaks which normal salary earners cannot access, non-affordability of housing for first time buyers. The list just goes on and on and on. And the evidence is worldwide

davoid, Milton keynes (!), UK

Why are we not doing something to stop the politicians we elected, from allowing this to happen? Most decent people are horrified by this sort of behavior and want something to be done NOW!

John Crosskey, Brighton, England

Mr Clarkson. You've doubtless heard the clamour. You've almost certainly seen the Facebook page. I put it to you that your country needs you, Sir!

Archie, Thrapston, England

jezza is just a normal person, no body should be harrased like this, it's disgraceful

Alex Hughes, Mel, Australia/Victoria

Dear Jeremy,
Find out what more people think by having a tick box to agree or disagree, because lots of people read your columns but don't have time to write back but would like to let you know how they feel on various issues.I think you would be amazed at how many people do actually have an opinion, but don't have the time to write back to you. By the way Teachers, must have more power or children are going to take over, ie.Lord of the flies. Regards, Great Fan, June.

June Pickett, Dundee, Scotland

Clarkson should be put into power!
Go Jeremy!

Justin, Singapore, Singapore

Teenage delinquent 'gangs' are a problem everywhere and isn't something any single government can resolve. Children are only as innocent as the environment they are surrounded in. Once children learn that they are protected by laws which prevent consequences then it's "anything goes". You can't give kids a direction when the once giving them direction have their hands tied. They are left thinking they can do whatever they can get away with.
I can't blame Clarkson for doing what he did. Any of us would react defensively when followed by a gang of heckling teenagers.
Jeremy should think himself lucky they didn't pull out knives or worse especially considering he was there for his daughter's birthday party.

stuvik, Newcastle, Australia

I’m a huge fan of Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear. I live in Milton Keynes and know exactly of the ‘hoodies’ you speak of, they probably derived from Fishermead or Conniburrow – two temporary housing estates long past their demolish date.
I’m 22 and disgusted at the general attitude and respect of youth, even of comparable age to myself. It frustrates however, when people are branded by age and even more so when experienced is immediately assumed relative to age.
People instinctively know between their right and wrongs, although parents are partly to blame there is another factor as to why people turn out the way they do (Some sort of genetic defect). I spent most of my teenage years living away from home and my parents, I’ve worked hard for the things I have in life. And whilst I’m working hard saving for a Lotus Exige S2, others are on the doll, chewing up my tax like rice paper and drinking White Lightning or some Buckfast derivative.

Luke Lines, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

I could not agree more with Clarkson, almost every single teenager is a problem, I am one the few seventeen year olds who is not like my peers and rather hates their immature and irresponsible behavior, the problem in my mind if lack punishment and and encouragement to do it from forms of media, if we want to lessen this problem this there needs to be a lot more positive roles models for these people, and more strict punishments towards them.

Robert Stewart, Qualicum Beach, Canada

Jeremy Clarkson, PM.

Please?

Emma, London,

I used to do publicity events for various companies, sometimes in MK. At the same time as one half of its population was protesting at a peadophile being resident in the town we were abused and harassed by the kids, some as young as four, of the other half - clearly out on their own. It was the same in other towns too. It's a big issue: these kids can be a frightening menace at the same time as being prey to all sorts of weirdos out there.

David Pincott, London, UK

This is a worlwide problem. We spent years enphasizeing human rights and forgetting human dutys.We fight for "freedom", but it seems not clear that YOUR freedom ends where MY freedom starts.
Like Depeche Mode were singing some years ago "get the ballance right" or if you prefer Sting : "If, manners maketh man as someone said, then he's the hero of the day"

FRANCESCO, Treviso, Italy

To: Richard, Groningen, The Netherlands. Caning! We used to have caning at our school when I was a child and I can honestly say that it didn't have any effect as a deterent at all. We would honestly have prefered being caned to being kept behind after school. And I should add that we were a bunch of basically nice kids, so you can imagine how the yobs would laugh at this punishment.

Cirep G Nol, London,

Having lived the younger part of my life in quite a rough neighborhood, I can tell you from experience that the people who feel save there are for the best part the offenders, because they know police and/or justice can't punish them effectively for certain violent crimes. One way or another you have to make them feel it's not in their best interest to act aggressively. I think caning as punishment would make them think twice before committing a violent assault again.

Richard, Groningen, The Netherlands

Richard, Groningen, The Netherlands

"Give teachers immunity from criminal charges. And sub-machineguns."

Providing teachers with immunity from sub-machineguns might prove difficult.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC, USA

You are a breath of fresh air! I was brought up in a time where you respected your elders or else. And.... it hasn't done me any harm at all, I do no feel the need for counselling or that my 'rights' were infringed if I was chastised The threat that "I know your parents" was always sufficient to keep us in line.
What happened?
ps You have every right to protect your land and privacy.
Manxie

Linda Smith, Douglas, Isle of Man

I totally agree with your column. I see ignorant louts who can't read a first grade reader but can cite you verbatim 'their rights' under Canada's Young Offenders Act. Basically even if you murder your family which one 14 year girl did the maximum sentence is 3 years. Parents take no responsiblity for
their children and will lie to protect them. THEIR child can't be wrong it has to be everyone else. The trouble is that we
treat 14 to 17 year old like they are children. Fifty years
ago they were children. Now they are ADULTS at that age
and should be treated as such.

Kate Sarginson, Victoria BC, Canada

Political correctness has completely neutered all attempts to teach our kids discipline and hope. When our kids are constantly being told that they have rights to do anything and that the law can't touch them because they are so young, it would probably be prudent to mention responsibility sometime. The responsibilities of parent , teacher but above all the childs responsibility to learn responsible independence.
Very recently 2 local kids were charged with bomb offences for blowing up a letterbox (not post box) When i was a kid doing the same thing ( crackers ) we got a swift number 9 and dragged home by the nearest ear. Isn't that a better solution than criminal records and chips on shoulders?
put discipline back in the hands of the family

Udo , melbourne, Australia

Jezzer - you are a legend in your own lifetime !! Although I have to admit to being a tad disappointed that you didn't 'chin' the little oxygen-thief.

Wyamarus, Rishton (Chav Town) , Lancashire

How can you wot be so cwuel? Those pwecious wambs just need more wuv. And a big gwoup hug. Ah bwess their wittle homicidal, anti-social psychopathic hearts...

To the 1% of teachers who think Jeremy's satire is too harsh, thank God your numb-wit idiot ideology is protected in a society where free speech, for the moment, is protected. Thank God idiot nincompoops can drive French cars and spout their middle-class numb-wit liberal claptrap with impunity.

In the meantime, don't moan when ordinary tax-paying people complain, people forced to live in town centres where the feral putatively human pwecious wambs rule the streets and the cops are powerless to do anything to fix it. Or the citizens.

Jeremy you are my hero!

Darryl, Bishop's Stortford via Texas, UK via Nirvana

There is a tendancy to think this is an older generation complaining about the younger one, yet again. This time its different. Chav culture, for this is really what we are talking about, has made the UK a thoroughly unpleasant place to live. Unfortunately the miserable, mealy mouthed muppets we have as an excuse for a government don't have the mental capacity or tenacity to fix it. Infact the longer they keep the uneducated happy with cheap credit to buy sky HD and plasma screens, with jobs in the public sector for 'the clever ones', the longer they see their parasitic existence continuing. Im 30, i've left the UK and don't see any reason to return. innit.

marco, bermuda,

As a teacher, I can safely say that 99% of my colleagues would agree with Jeremy, aside from the politically correct, give the students a voice brigade.
My only hope is that we will reach a nadir of anti-social behaviour and reactionary forces will make those in power redress the balance.

Mark, Matlock, Derbyshire

I have great respect for Jeremy - can't stand his TV show, but everything he writes here has a "common sense" that I can relate too.
Keep up the good work.

Robert, Bracknell Forest, UK

New Labour has created a country fit only for criminals, consultants and non-domicile billionaires, not to mention politicians who are only concerned with getting their snouts in the trough.

Martin Pilcher, Herts,

Before long it's all going to come to a head, it will end up in riots and it won't be the hoodies rioting it'll be us - the ones on the receiving end. No-one should be in fear of walking down the street just because the government (past and present) has let the country go to the dogs.

Richard, Milan, Italy

Ok, so there's always been thugs, but the scariest (I mean it, I've suffered) thing is that there is now a second generation being brought up without parental or any other kind of control, eg school or the law. The result is the majority will never understand that what they are doing is wrong, their vile behavior will become the norm.

The only redeeming factor is that there are still a number of decent young people around (Nicole) but I fear their number and influence on our society as a whole is rapidly diminishing.

Peter J, Derby, UK

Jeremy do us all peace loving and sane people of London a favour, run for Mayor and when you win (gauranteed) work towards getting rid of these pathetic low lifes (along with their stupid parents - I know an island in the Pacific they could all be shipped to). Oh yes - then you could work on getting rid of the shameless politically correct politicians who disgust me almost as much as the hoodies themselves.

Shahin, Bromley, Kent

It would be good if some of the useless MP's in this country read and listened to views such Clarkson's. There is a real sense of disillusionment in this country these days. The disrespect and lack of discipline displayed by such a large number of youths today is both shocking and frightening. The fact that one is not allowed to fight back is just appalling and terrible legacy for ten years of irresponsible and overl interfering Labour leadership.

I don't really know the answer but for sure some discipline in our schools has to return. I was punished for offences at school and at home, and I don't mean stabbing someone, and as the saying goes, it never did me any harm.

Listen to what 'we' are saying Mr Cameron and get on your high horse, ignore the Rita Chakrabartis' of this world and sort it.

Darren Heath, London, England

JC's right we have a disgraceful society now where the minority of young thugs can cause all sorts of trouble from verbal abuse to violence to get their way, and the Police are as useless as an empty packet of 'soap bubbles' the Government is stacked to the rafters with everybody in other peoples pockets jockeying for higher positions than themselves and lining their own pockets first, Local Authorities given extra powers to make their own laws (but ordered by central Government not to spend any money but claw it back) these youths have everything today and no repect for man or property to get it so who governs for the honest law abiding people no one we are on our own because all those in power don't listen because it does not effect them.

Ray Newman, Bristol, uk

Britain has always had a problem with youth gangs and violence. You only have to examine the 'scuttling' epidemic in 19th Manchester to realise that gang aggression is obviously nothing new. What is new, however, is the downright psychopathic nature of contemporary British children. I work as a TA in schools and many children view knowledge (and civilisation itself) as anathema. Many poorer children are fully aware that they are governed by a class of beings more privileged than them; however, many of the same children are unaware of the routes that are available to them so that they can achieve parity with these richer, ruling beings. There is an ingrained hatred in many poorer homes for any figure that represents the system and anyone that wields even a modicum of power over them. The only thing different now is that Labour has given such foolish children an arsenal of means by which to launch an attack on ANY authority, be it perceived (adults in the street) or real (teachers).

Bob, Leicester, UK

TKJ Manchester
I was sent to public school when I was seven (I had lived in the middle east since three so not much in education) I couldn't read or write.
Within a year I could do both and speak french aswell as algebra.
at ten I was sent to a state school... and waited three years to encounter the same subjects.
I left school with no qualifications.
I have never been arrested and now I am a company director trying to employ self regarding ,self righteous middle class graduates.

Arm teachers? I would support corporal punishment except would you let the current mob of feckless idiots in education (Ms Gibbons?) to beat your children.

Why did I succeed? = self belief.

Lord Shaw, Shottingham, Stansville

While we continue to reward teenagers with free houses and apartments if they have get pregnant; not too mention the greater benefits on offer if they have more children, we are just adding to the problem of producing poorly educated feral children.
One of the answers is to tackle the problem at source; and disincentivise children from getting pregnant and inturn having kids. Its simple: if you haven't the ability to look after kids you shouldn't have them.........

steve brook, london, uk

I agree with JC, something definitely should be done, however I don't thinking arming teachers is the answer :)

Why don't we impose a curfew? It's done in other countries, I honestly think the world has gone mad, when children have more rights than the victims they abuse!

If not curfew, then for goodness sake national service and I don't mean this namby pamby stuff that's been bandied about recently, we'll give them 6 weeks national service and only if they 'want' to!! What's all that about? For goodness sake do the powers that be really think that a trouble maker is going to volunteer for national service? I don't think so!!

What happens in other countries, they do approx. two years national service, it is expected of them and whenever I've spoken to people who have done national service, they talk about it with a sense of pride ...... they say that for them, it was a stepping stone to adulthood, in some cases it sorted out wayward youngsters.

Mand, DEVON,

Great article. Now just watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LHV6hUMBBg

Marco, Venice,

JC, it's your own fault that you attract so much attention.

As a famous TV personality, you can't go anywhere without drawing attention. You just need to learn that you've created your own problems and you just have to deal with them in a civilised manner.

If you need to go somewhere common, you'll see common people. If you don't want attention from people on the streets you'll have to remain within your idyllic home enjoying the village life. If you can't deal with verbal attention without resorting to violence then you need to be removed from the parts of society where you are in danger of causing violence.

TAM, Glasgow, UK

You mean there are still people around harbouring the delusion that the police are there to keep order on the streets? Or that the law is meant to ensure fair play no matter who you are or how much you earn? Get real! The pople you complain about are future labour voters, parented by labour voters and paid to be layabouts by labour politicians.

Never mind the parents, get rid of the government that bribes them with my money.

KR, Stockport,

As a teacher, (USA) I am quite familiar with these "hoodlum-toughs" that lought about the corridors and fill many students and teachers with doom. However, I welcome the chance to "educate" them on a much higher level.

Although I've tried diplomacy, the only element that seems to stifle that "bloodthirsty" type of student is good old fashioned fear. They are afraid of me; and therefore, a good deal of academic work ensues. I am here to educate. Eventually, they come to appreciate my methodology and usually thank me.

Peter Colangelo, Cherry Hill , New Jersey

It's weird but the US pretty much doesn't have this yobbo problem that you guys constantly complain about.

Maybe it helps that when you harass or attack people in the States, the law comes down against you instead of protecting you from the consequences of your misbehavior.

While the UK is busy imprisoning farmers who shoot burglars, the US is giving victims legal protection against both prosecution and being sued by the dead burglar's family. This is a surprisingly efficient approach to crime fighting and requires minimal state resources to implement on a wide scale. Merely withdrawing the support of the legal system from the hooligans emboldens victims and clears the way for private action to fix the entire problem. The police and courts should only become involved when a supposed victim claims self defense inappropriately or when the criminal prevails in a confrontation.

I also think that Brits tend to believe that it is more important that the government have a monopoly on law enforcement while Americans feel it is more important that the laws be enforced, even if it requires what some might call vigilantism. Maybe this should change.

Jim W, Tallahassee, FL

Jeremy, you are sort of right!

'Tackle' this thuggery at school? Hmm. My secondary school teacher pals tell me stories that would make even your hair turn a lighter shade of grey!

As a teacher myself, I also lay the blame with the parents.

Remember, these kids weren't born hooligans. They were made into hooligans.

I teach little ones and, sadly, even at 5 I can predict trouble.
What I want most is to gather all the useless parents (about 75%) in our school and tell them to, "take responsibility for the children you chose to have."

Can I do this? No, not if I want to pay my mortgage.

I could try wearing a t-shirt at weekends saying, "the wrong people are breeding!" Could I do this?

No because I'll be smacked in the face by some Argosjewelledvickypollard lout who calls herself a mother.

Don't get me wrong - I adore the children in my care but I worry terribly for their future.I just know that my innocent little ones are heading down the path you describe.

A teacher who cares, London,

I've got to say Clarkson is exactly right that the blame lies squarely with the useless parents of these kids and that there really is no way to get them to change.

We've got metal detectors in many of the schools here in Los Angeles, but the teachers still have no power.

When I was young, my parents beat the crap out of me if I got out of line. I didn't like it then, but now I'm GLAD my parents did what they did.

Now of course parents cannot do that without the law coming down on them. Corporal punishment really does need to make a comeback....

You guys have it easy there in the UK, here the youth gangs will kill you for your car and then use it in their next drive-by shooting.

Duane B., Malibu, USA, California

Its time poeple stood up for themselvs. The ignorence of the law works both ways! I was set uppon by six youths who where under the impression that i was defenceless. Two in hospital and the rest ran like the cowards they where. Its time people started looking after themselves. The police are just NOT interested. Not every one carries a knife!

ozzy, southampton,

The problem is your car, Mr Clarkson. Children don't drive, you see, so the car means that the only people on the streets are teenagers and vulnerable adults. The car also makes the street a unpleasant, threatening place, driving away any sort of relaxed conversation, strolling, ory ounger children's games.
A car-dominated city is a recipe for violence. It is not the only factor, to be sure, but enviroment does have an influence.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

So it's settled then. Tell the so called "do gooders" to bugger off, and get rid of all the useless anti-smacking laws. Sorted.
It'd get my vote any day.

Maaarrghk!, Halifax, UK

Mr Clarkson, as much as it pains me to say it, for once your omnidirectional middle-class apoplexy is justified.

Neel, London,

I was attacked by three young thugs for pointing out to them that they shouldn't be riding their unregistered motorbikes on a Cycleway that displayed 'No Motorcycles' signs. For my friendly advice I suffered a broken arm.

The police took my statement ..... erm, 3 WEEKS after the event, and a witness declined to give a statement when asked by them to do so 7 WEEKS after the event.

"Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime" and "Fighting Crime, Protecting People" .... just slogans created by advertising types. No more, no less.

Oh well, at least I don't have to worry about Britain's feral youth any more. I'm one of the many thousands who have sold up and left that poor excuse for a country.

AB, Ex-Manchester, Not Britain

It's not about education, it's about values.

Dumb down our education system, like we have, and give everybody a GCSE. If the child has nor respect for anyone or anything then giving them a GCSE will not turn them into an upright citizen.

Children learn their values in their early years from their parents and teachers. By their teens it is generally too late. The majority of the 'problem teens' will simply go on to be a burden to society, either by perpetuating their lack of values by having their own no-value families, or by adding to the prison population.

Darren, Portsmouth, UK

Clarkson for PM-why not!?

Toby, Hurstpierpoint, England

JC has a point. These kids mess others around because no one has the responsibility (Or the authority, or the balls) to tell them that what they are doing is wrong. Not that some care anyway. They know that there is nothing anyone is allowed to do to them in resonse to threats or anti social behaviour. Of course they will run wild with no decent role models or heroes outside of the pages of 'Heat' and other such trash.

When you've got to that point, arming Teachers and using attack dogs upon the unruly may be the only option you have left.

M K Jones, Warwick,

Jeremy for Prime Minister! He can do no wrong!!

Amir Mahmood, Coventry, UK

Its not ok to feel unsafe or threatened in armada way in Plymouth or similar cities. When we visited last year a similar event seemed imminent. I was born there and returned there after 55 years. I was surprised how frequently we saw public aggressive behavior .. It must have been a bad day for the city because the following year it was all sweetness and light though my uncle and extended family wouldn't go to the city for any reason at night if they had to walk. and they have lived there since Drakes time
under 18's are externally focussed followers these days. Their internal rules if they have them are not ones associated with self discipline and self respect and community leadership. They coexist as minor mobs not functioning teams. Mobs are less than the sum of their parts, teams are greater.

rwn, muston,

What a glorious column to wake up to!!

It was only a few weeks back, when I was 'shock and awed' by a militant gang of rouge pre pubescent boys, who ambushed me for target practice with their firecrackers, in delightful south east London.
Three little hyenas, circling me and heckling, while attempting to burn me alive in the street.

I guess it was my own silly fault for venturing out of the house to buy milk. Luckily, they were smaller than me and soon had the sense to flee in terror when I pulled my angry face (With a little help from the shopkeeper)

I would be ashamed and embarrassed, should my child even think of doing something like that.

At an age as young as my tormentors, it’s clearly a lack of parental skills.

I’m sure parenting is a tough enough job on its own, but if the parents are punished for the acts of their children up to a certain age, then maybe they’d be forcefully injected with some values?
Or at least stop people who don’t really want children from accidentally having them in the first place to be left shooing them out of their way, so they can harass me with their pent up, unloved, Neanderthal aggression.

It’s all very well having metal detectors in schools, but we’d need them everywhere for it to be efficient.

Parents – You’ve created a child. A mini version of you to bring into the world. You must take responsibility for them!

Emily, London,

Spare the rod and spoil the child!!!it is the duty of every adult in the community to make sure the children are not misbehaving...therefore if any kid (JC's kids included) misbehaves in public...I'll have to get my cane and flog 'em senseless...hoodie or no hoodie!

John, Midlands, UK

Look at the root causes of criminality and you will see that they are intrinsically linked to poverty and deprivation. Also, the government's rather late plan to invest more in youth services will help to keep young people gainfully occupied. Or do you believe that children are born bad and remain that way no matter what their start in life is like? Now that would be a criminal view!

Jenny, London, UK

With Kilroy Silks career down the toilet, there's a job for you now Herr Clarkson!

Declan, Milan,

It would be fascinating to see you in politics, Mr Clarkson, and I really hope you'll think about it - with AA Gill as your deputy.

David, Gent, Belgium

Dear JC,

Right on the button yet again. Its not so much a case of the lunatics have taken over the asylum, but the pink and fluffy brigade have taken political correctness too far. The pendulum needs to swing back a long way towards the danger zone. Being adventurous and taking risks was what made this country "Great" Britain. Our inventors took risks and were Trail blazers ( much like JC with his no nonsense straight talking style). We have become too risk adverse, in fear of the Health & safety finger waggers. The hoodies and the youth and gang culture today should make every self respecting parent feel revulsed. A damn good thwack across the head is a good start to many a cheeky and disrespectful irk, the sort that JC appears to have encountered. Its a shame that such youths didn't approach JC and congratulate him for his forthright views and achievements and set about emulating his style, instead of being gobby. Good on yer JC, don't stop now - old fashioned britishness is key

Andy, Reading, uk

Right on the spot as usual Jeremy...but, I would like to add something , when the teacher in question is shooting the bandits at school, another one should record it on his camera phone and post it in youtube, so the rest of us adults can watch it and enjoy a few minutes of fun a day...or, are only teenagers allowed to have fun at youtube?

Hugo, london,

Jeremy, you're totally right, again!

Although i'm only 15 and should probably totally contradict what you're saying - I don't. Teachers do need more authority. So do the "Community Support Officers" that wander the streets on friday nights.

Too many kids in my school get away with "murder." They think they have the right to do anything.

Part of the problem is in schools, after all that is where most kids get most of thier influences from, where they're suposed to learn about life and most of all, because of new laws, have to be taught how to be good citizens and take a GCSE in the subject.

It's because so many kids know they can beat the system. If a teaher so much as touches a student in some cases they could face the sack.

Parents really do have to do something about this too. Too many parents go easy on thier kids and let them do whatever they want, while letting them lose any moral understadings they had.


So, when you getting into politics then Jeremy??

Nicole, Gloucestershire, England

There's something to be said for National Service coming back really.

Either that or if I may paraphrase something JC said a number of years back, "Anyone failing the 11+ should be immediately neutered".

Hey presto - in one generation you've solved half the problem - stupidity.

Greg, Sheffield,

Dear Jeremy,
I think the world would be a much better place if you had been voted in as PM!
Thankfully, I work in quite a nice school but I cut my teeth in not so nice schools and I do believe that children are getting away with far too much!
I'm only 24 so it feels odd saying "in my day" but, in my day I wouldn't have dreamt of behaving the way children do these days....and that wasn't because I was afraid of the nuns who taught me! I just had respect.
Children from particular areas these days need bought down a peg or two and I'm loving your idea!
Davina S, Surrey

Davina Stansfield, Surrey,

Heheh the usual mixture of funny and ridiculous. Regarding the "JC" business, I am not sure who is more deluded - worshippers of Jeremy Clarkson or Jesus Christ.

Tony, London,

Well said JC.

One of the few who doesn't see the chavs day to day, but still knows the exist.

I only wish his last comment about the Police hadn't have been made for undoing the last 10 years of new Liarbor, is exactly what we need to do.

If a gang of hoodies wants to come over to threaten me. Either give me the right to break their fingers or provide me with a Police "Force" who will hurt them on their way to be Punished... "To the fullest extent of the Law."

Well done JC (Where have i heard them two letters before?)

Marc Palmer, Liverpool,

Please stop using the name of Jesus as a swearword or else start doing the same with Mohammed. I would like my religion respected but I won't kill you in the process.

nancy, Hallstead,

"We need to ensure people who encourage antisocial behavious are locked up. For example, we need to look at characters who encourage people to buy motor vehicles which can do 250 mph and 0-speed limit in 3.5 seconds. They should be forced to extol the advantages of vehicles such as the Trabant, so our young people can re-adjust their values, instead of dreaming of ways they can afford a £100,000 sports car."

Huh? How many towns have a problems with 14-year-old scallies driving at 250mph in their Bugatti Veyron's? Surely young people dreaming of how they can afford a £100,000 sports car is a good thing because then they'll have to consider career options?

Ben, Manchester, UK

Dear Jeremy re your experiences in MK, please don't take up politics. Please give up smoking.

Richard Sanders, Malmesbury, UK

Jezza. Get yer arrse into politics (Sir)
Youre everything we need in our current political clime..
Have yet to read anything that you have written which I disagree with.. apart from your view on motorbikes.. ahem..

Seriously : YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU.
Make it happen big fella, youve got the backing of thousands. It's not too hard for a bloke like you. If Thatcher, Major, Bliar and our current PM can hold office, you'll walk it! it's either that or the Hamster gets it.

TR, East of England, UK

All I can say is I agree with JC, while violence begets more violence in some cases, in other the thugs need to learn that they aren't the only ones who can dish it out. We've tried the labour softly softly approach and that has about as much effect of an asthmatic ant, so maybe it's time they got a little wakeup call.

TSH, Chatham, UK

A few months ago whilst driving in Milton Keynes, two boys from a group of a teenagers ran onto the road and lay down in my path. I did not slow down and they got up quickly but not with some cowardly rude gestures. I never slow down for silliness

Lawrie, Bracknell,

Political ciorrectness is the heart of this problem. 50 Years ago, education was about getting the best out of people both academically and physically in sport. Apprenticeships actually trained people to have skills and yes it does take a long time to get a decent depth of knowledge and skill. The clowns and 2nd rate teachers and politicians we have now have lost sight of the objectives of education and wealth creation and how to achieve them. Whoever thinks that they are an arbiter of political correctness needs to be able to answer a simple question " Who the hell do you think you are??" & then go for a swim in the sea via the top of Beachy Head. This country might get back into a pleasant place to live then.

Adrian, Farnborough, UK

Typical ranting from Clarkson and the readers, all of whom have missed the point. The best way to deal with Jeremy's problem is to STOP SMOKING!! Then there will be no need to go out and no opportunity to meet the hoodies!

mike, athens,

You should make a film about your experiences and call it 'Clockwork Orange'. As the father of a thug, I object to you showing them a bad example by smoking.

Better use of CCTV would mean we could lock the little gangsters up, or perhaps send them to a desert island and you could make a TV series called 'I'm a Tthug - get me out of here.'

We need to ensure people who encourage antisocial behavious are locked up. For example, we need to look at characters who encourage people to buy motor vehicles which can do 250 mph and 0-speed limit in 3.5 seconds. They should be forced to extol the advantages of vehicles such as the Trabant, so our young people can re-adjust their values, instead of dreaming of ways they can afford a £100,000 sports car.

Gary Hyams, London, UK

.".blah blah blah ................And a sub-machinegun." What an idiot JC is. Has he forgotten that Violence begets Violence.
Solution -->
What was wrong with deportation to Australia? We the nation got rid of our delinquents-- they ( the Australians ) seem happy with their new arrivals. A perfect solution. No violence just a win-win situation

dan, Chipping Norton, uk

Once again JC gets it spot on. Please say you will get into politics Mr Clarkson, so that we can have someone with some common sense and backbone in charge of the country. You have an Army of followers and I do mean Army ;)

HM, Portsmouth,

Jeremy I like your style ... why not arm teachers with big dogs as well... that way all evidence can be eaten. :) Seriously though, as a parent I fully agree that the responsibility should lay at home. There is no point trying to tackle the problem when the child turns 15 - parents need proper behaviour management classes from day 1. As a teacher I think that too much emphasis is placed on school - sort out the family and there are no more problems

Simon, Southampton, UK

National service sounds a good idea, the kids of today mostly have no respect for anything including the poilce, we are told about the growing over weight issues, its simple stuff ,that a few beastings would not solve. it would teach them basic manners,respect for others,and give them a decent start in life.Some might like it and join our depleating armed forces.You cant blame education i left school with a GCSE in Geography and that was it,but lucky i had good parents with values..it s the parents that need the machine gun..

jimmymck, Kent, uk

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