Anti-social behaviour needs attention

OVER the last few weeks appalling acts of violence have shocked the country with the fatal shooting of Rhys Jones in Liverpool and a succession of gun and knife murders of youngsters in other cities.

However we must all be aware that crime doesn't need to leave people dead for it to blight people's lives.

The Dales Road and Bramford Lane areas of Ipswich are not generally considered to be crime hotspots - they are the kind of areas that estate agents are usually keen to advertise when properties come on to the market.

But vandalism and petty crime - the classic ingredients of anti-social behaviour - are causing serious concern for some residents of these areas.

One resident is on anti-depressants after becoming so worried about the activities of groups of youngsters while others have spoken about their concerns after their windows were stoned and their homes were targeted by egg-throwing yobs.

It is good to know that the police and council are dealing with these complaints - there was a concern a few years ago that the authorities did not take “low level” crime seriously enough.

The police need to take firm action to make people feel safe in their own homes - and need to be seen with a high-profile presence in the area to reassure residents that they are taking action.

Anti-social behaviour blights thousands of lives - it might not always make the headlines but it can make life a misery for its victims.

IT is a tragic irony that the three Royal Anglian soldiers killed by “friendly fire” in Afghanistan last week now appear to have been attacked by a Suffolk-based USAF plane from Lakenheath.

However what is very concerning is the news that the American authorities have said they will not allow their air crew to take part in the inquests that will follow the death.

That effectively means that the full inquiry into the deaths of the soldiers that all the families have called for cannot actually take place.

This is not the first time that the Americans have tried to cover up their part in “friendly fire” deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan - but it does nothing for the confidence of the troops serving on the ground or the British public in general.

If the Americans are going to fight alongside other countries, there must be a strong element of trust between the forces. And that trust will be shattered if US forces refuse to explain what they did if something goes tragically wrong.

IPSWICH-born superstar Kieron Dyer is facing a new injury nightmare after a horrific leg break in his West Ham's league cup match with Bristol Rovers last night.

After all his injury nightmares with Newcastle, it looked as if Dyer had finally put a difficult period of his career behind him when he moved to east London earlier this month.

Now, at best, he is facing months on the sidelines - this is the kind of injury that has ended careers before now.

Everyone in his home county will be hoping he is able to make a full recovery and will be wishing him well as he battles back to fitness.