FOR several weeks the Tower youth project in Totton has been intimidated by a group of 20 to 30 teenage chavs, most of whom are under the influence of alcohol, despite being too young to purchase or drink it.

The situation has been escalating but, even though emergency calls have been made in recent weeks, the police have failed to automatically monitor this antisocial behaviour and the other night some law-abiding young people were physically assaulted.

When I spoke to Hampshire police about this they were sympathetic, but told me that current levels of funding restrict how many patrols they can operate on a Friday and Saturday evenings in Totton.

As a taxpayer I would like to know why.

Unless the police act immediately to arrest or disperse the troublemakers, which is what the current government is claiming should be happening, it is only a matter of time before the physical assaults of today turn into something much worse tomorrow.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.