SIR,

In response to 'A need to restore the balance of power', Beacon, 17th August.

I agree wholeheartedly with what your correspondent says but the fact that he/ she wishes to remain anonymous speaks volumes.

Late one afternoon last week, I saw a  group of youths sitting down to a picnic on Chippenham Fields.

I wanted to remind them to take their rubbish home with them, but didn't have the courage.

The following morning the remains of the party were strewn all over the field.

We all read of the man who tried to stop hooligans from vandalising his neighbour's car and was attacked with a metal pole for his trouble.

He will probably think twice before intervening again.

During the riots, shops were looted and burnt down, taking away people's livelihoods, and the people who worked at the shops are now unemployed.

Others lost their homes; all this happened while hundreds looked on.

Very few tried to help the police except one elderly man who tried to put out a fire started by some mindless arsonist and paid for it with his life.

These thugs know they can do as they like as no-one in their right mind is going to try to stop them.

Isn't this the way dictators take over?

I believe passionately in freedom of speech, but regret to say that I also wish to remain anonymous.

(Name and address supplied)