Sir.-I write regarding the article "Sparks fly over fireworks policy" (Gazette, October 17) and wish to say that I support what the Co-op is trying to do.
I have lived in Basingstoke for almost 20 years and feel that the anti-social behaviour problem in the town has never been as bad as it is at the moment.
I applaud any effort by individuals and companies who are trying to make our community a safer place to live in.
I have travelled to many countries and the UK is one of the most slack in the Western world for expecting people to carry photo ID.
In Europe, many countries expect you to carry your passport/ID card at all times.
In the USA, it is normal for bars to ask all customers for ID, for the very reasons that the Co-op is stating.
It means that all customers are treated equally and staff are not expected to make judgements about customers' ages.
As soon as more companies adopt this attitude, people will become used to carrying some form of photo ID.
I appreciate that this gentleman must have felt frustrated by the fact that he could not buy the fireworks that he wanted.
However, I am sure that he would be the first to complain if children were playing outside his house with fireworks. Well done, Co-op!
-Name and address supplied.
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