WHAT has happened to this green and pleasant land fit for heroes? In less than two weeks after detectives described an attack on a man as "unusual'', four people aged between 26 and 43 were "unusually'' attacked in one night in Thornhill.

It is all too easily to blame the parents. Over the years the authority of parents, teachers and to some extent the bobby on the beat has been eroded by political correctness, the Human Rights Act and outside influence. Now children dictate how far these people can discipline them.

It is the people that influence society (politicians, judges, clergy and celebrities) that shapes the society we live in. The problem is the moral, ethical and civil politeness of this group of people has dropped so low in the pursuit of wealth.

The only way back is to let parents and teachers administer discipline and those in authority to increase their standards to restore respect for authority.

I look at my two and half year old grandson and dread to think what sort of environment we will be leaving him.

If it carries on unchecked with whole neighbourhoods too intimidated to go to the police the state of the environment will be immaterial.

DAVID MORGAN, Lordshill, Southampton.