"Parents should take responsibility for their children. Garry and I have brought up three girls together to respect other people and to be home, not walking the streets causing damage and intimidating other people by drinking and abusive language."

The words of Helen Newlove, whose husband Garry was kicked to death by drunk teenagers after he tried to stop them vandalising his wife's car.

Garry Newlove paid the ultimate price for stepping in.

In September, Jack Straw, the government's own have-a-go-hero announced a change in the law to favour good citizens who stand up to do the right thing.

What about you? Have you ever got involved? broken up a fight? stopped a mugging?  And if you haven't, why not?

Comments

[Carlos Cortiglia, London Feb 18, 2008 1:26:06 PM]

The age of a teenager to become an adult should be 21 years-of-age and parents should be given back the powers to be parents. We cannot take powers away from parents and then when things go wrong blame the parents.

[Derek, Plymouth Feb 11, 2008 1:58:43 PM]

12-17 years for these murderers, you must be joking, mind you i was expecting them to get asbo's. Hey I have a good idea, why not change the laws so that murderers can be given 100 years. The people that run this country (who don't have to live in the real world, and all the do gooders)have not got a clue

[Aidan Northants Feb 7, 2008 4:12:44 PM]

i just wanted as a 16 year old we are not all bad, i will say though that there is allot of unpleasant horrible and despicable people out their, young, old poor and rich. People these days unfortunately don't seem to have respect and morals. I walked down my street the other day and all you see are people f-ing and blinding, that's the parents and the children. I think its a discrace.
I think it should be government's standing up to these yobs not people who have to work hard and pay to much tax, tax for which anti social behaviour should be covering, god help this once great nation of ours.
Aidan, Northants 16

[Josie- Australia Feb 4, 2008 8:44:15 PM]

We have recently learned of the murder of one of our relatives ( in the UK)by agressive people who thought violence was the answer.
Our hearts go out to Mrs Newlove and her daughters,we definately know whats she's been going through.
We think the people to blame these days for all the youth violence against law abiding citizens are the so called "DO GOODERS" these people have told us for years how to bring up our kids, your not allowed to chastise them with even a slight slap to bring them into line for fear someone will see you and you will end up in court.
Kids these days have more rights than their parents so you could say that the parents are at a lost end. (Although this should still not be used as an excuse)
Mind you there are those parents that bring their family up respectfully with not even a slap being given, it's all to do with teaching your children at a very young age good manners and respect for anyone & everyone.
We were brought up the old fashioned way, if you got yourself into trouble for what ever reason you knew you would get the third degee when you got home, this did not make us turn out violent if we got a slap, we knew not to get out of line again.
The buck has got to stop, so why not make these "SO GOODERS" accountable for their interference in the way they have made our lives, a case of getting them to mind their own business.
We have learnt over the years that one person on their own may be reluctant to challenge groups who are damaging his or her property or becoming a pest in the street.
The law has to change and so do the the rights of parents.

[Jack Garratt ...Norway. Jan 29, 2008 7:12:29 PM]

There is an awful lot of complaining and pointing the finger, but I believe the problem with Britain is you and me!!
We have let morals, respect, communication and discipline be replaced with...'Well you gotta have a laugh haven't ya'!
Sure, but at who's expense? I'm afraid its you and me, the ordinary person who are becoming the laughing stock of Europe.

I heard someone say recently,'Britain is no longer great but fast becoming a little sewer that's taking on a life of its own'

Britain has all it needs to be great again. If we miss the chance and don't get a grip on what's happening we will lose more than we know.
Future generations will look back, point the finger and put the fault squarely on you and I...Don't wait for the government to do something it will not happen. It will take a few decades but you start in your own sphere of influence. Nudge people into love and joy and peace, patience and kindness, by living it out.
Parents remember: relationship with our kids determines their response. no relationship and you will have rebellion. Every child wants the security of communication and boundaries ...let it start with you and yours and remember it is never too late to start with any child even the kids who kicked the life out of Garry.
lets go for it and see where this adventure gets us!

[DENNIS HERTS Jan 25, 2008 11:17:42 AM]

Stabbings on the street.
Romaninan Children used as thieves and pickpockets.
Honour Killings.
Drunken youths terrorising the innocent.
Forced Marriages.
Innocent people unable to fight back
A film plot about the Barbarians or the Dark Ages ?

No Britain in 2008.

[Angela Blue Jan 23, 2008 11:55:23 AM]

Dear Mrs Newlove, I heard you on the News a couple of days ago....There is many mothers calling out for a voice, who would support you 100%,.....but we don't get heard....I've been trying for 4 years.....I have not had to bear a death of my love one's although it's been close....I suppose you have to suffer a death before the media is interested....It please see my sight on youtube, type in myselfrevealed in the search box....sending you love for healing and strong happy memories.....were being abused by the state here..

[Angela Blue Jan 23, 2008 11:46:51 AM]

This is what happens when a country is governed by deceit and greed, because good decent people become angry, the children become angry, this gov is not finished pushing the people to the brink...The police are just learning of their future fate, while the ordinary person has already found their living under a New World Order, justice has no place there....

[DENNIS HERTS Jan 21, 2008 10:47:29 AM]

This in a true incident !
A Police C.S.O. was ushering some children and Mums across the road at my local Primary School Mum says to toddler "Wait for the Policeman to tell you to cross" child replies " Thats a PRETEND POLICEMAN,Whats that old saying "From the mouth of babes and sucklings

[JULIE FIFE Jan 20, 2008 12:03:38 PM]

Is it just me, when I was younger and done something wrong, I was more worried about my fate when I got home. I wasn't a battered kid, but you can be sure if i done something I wasn't meant to my backside would be stinging for a while, 9 times out of 10 my parents shouting at me was enough to put the fear of good into me.
You would never back chat a Policeman, you weren't that brave, if you being wise at school you got the belt. I am only 32 why have things changed so much.
Now, if a parent spanks a child, the kid can get them charged, you see 8-10 year olds out at 10-11 at night, if a policeman give them a warning then what ever, kids know they are minors so they answer back, if they misbehave at school they get a few days off.
If someone breaks into your house and you try to protect your family, your the one who is arrested and the thief can sue you.
This is a result of to many do gooders that are dictating how we should be living and relaxing the law instead of enforcing it.I am a believer that the punishment should fit the crim. If you are an honest person what do yo have to worry about.

[DENNIS HERTS Jan 19, 2008 11:00:12 AM]

Plastic Plods C.S.O. as much use as a chocolate fire guard,I have a neighbour aged 86 owner of a fiery Jack Russel who is more use at keeping the yobs away as she says "I have got sod all to lose at my age and no one is going to make my life a misery" I have not seen a REAL POLICE OFFICER in my area for the past 4-5 months what the hell are we paying out tax for ?.

[Richard in Skipton Jan 18, 2008 4:43:57 PM]

Thanks to the Politicians and our wonderful Judiciary we have to be very careful not to use too much force, even against burglars. Who would have the confidence to intervene in an assault under those circumstances. This situation needs to be addressed so that any brave person who would intervene could have the confidence of the backing of the Authorities in such situations.
The army would also sort out these loafers by breaking and rebuilding them to have respect for people and property. No appeals, no observers waving white flags, just hard discipline.Why not give it a try.
I recall the american guy who sprayed graffiti on cars in Singapore didn't spray any more after his flogging. How about some of that as a deterrent in this country. It would work very quickly and show up as such in the statistics the politicians love so much.
In addition, the Goverment should invest in more youth facilities because there's no doubt the Devil finds work for idle hands. Most kids would attend these facilities and that would filter out the real bad guys still on the streets to be picked off by the police. Here you have some basic suggestions which if implemented in the correct way would change society in a generation.

[david brown, coventry. Jan 18, 2008 4:38:34 PM]

in october 2004 my daughter sarah was murderd by her partner,she was only 21,she suffered an horrific death, where he stamped on her head,sarah drowned in her own blood,her partner got a life sentence and he must serve 20 yrs before being considered for parole,i do know how helen newlove and her daughters feel towards murderers,we should bring back hanging or the leathal injection,it would make people think twice before committiing violence or the taking of someones precious life,like garry newlove,my daughter sarah,and many more.not a day goes by without me talking about sarah,it is happening everyday somebody is murdered,im the father of sarah,emma,and james, well myself and emma and james are going to be shot,when emmas exboyfriend comes out of prison,hes in prison for firearms offences,i have been to the police about this,and they say there is nothing they can do to help,the reason being is that it does not say my name on the letter,in the letter it says,i have a bullet with your dads name,and your brothers name on it,i cant understand it as im emmas dad,and also he will get his boys to visit me,my son james has already been assaulted by one of his boys,i live in fear especially when im out visiting or going to town,so we must stop gang violence,ok dave brown,coventry.

[Jamie: Wirral Jan 18, 2008 4:04:56 PM]

i was attacked by a gang of youths on the early hours of new years day, when the police arrived they wanted to arrest me for drunk and disorderly because i was agressive, i had just been attacked by 6 youths of which 4 of them where still around me when the police arrived they payed no attention to them at all, and just wanted to arrest me. God knows what those kids are and will be capable of doing top someone else, now they think they can get away with it. It's a disgrace how things are dealt with, i'm sure if i had assalted one of them i'd have been charged. The law is a joke.

[Wesley, Newcastle Jan 18, 2008 3:54:55 PM]

Why are some people baffled by the fact that they never see a 'bobby' walking their streets? Don't you know that the bobby and his beat was abolished by Roy Jenkins on 7 December 1966? Would you like to see it restored? If so, then why do you continually cast your votes for the main political parties of this country, which are against this ever happening?

Neither the Labour or Tory party exists by divine fiat. Both are institutionally dead and have nothing to say to any of you. The British people can bring them down by refusing to vote for them en masse. Something better then has the chance to emerge at Westminster.

[Maud, the Netherlands Jan 18, 2008 3:41:43 PM]

I, like all the other posters here, felt shocked and horrified at the senseless death of Mr. Newlove at the hands of those brutal and feral teenagers. I don't know what is happening in Britain today. I left the country many years ago but I do visit often. I have noticed changes over the years - mostly not for the best. We have had successive weak governments and bit by bit many of our rights have been taken away. As other posters have mentioned, one is not allowed to discipline one's children, magistrates and police seem to have very little power, so many excuses are made - none are acceptable for this kind of behaviour or crime. We need tougher laws, more punishment in school and parenting classes in many cases...but which government would ever take such steps? Not many of us would be proud to be British these days I reckon.

[Dennis, Cramlington Northumberland Jan 18, 2008 1:22:35 PM]

I have mother-in-law Ruth (90 yrs of age) sitting alongside and have read some of these posts to her...

Her views (verbatim):-

"In my childhood people would consider others before themselves; if they could do do you a good turn they would, and help you all they could.

They would not stab you in the back. That's the way life was in those days.

Money didn't matter; it was friendship that counted.

The Police were respected, yes; definitely...
...(Why?) ..because they were the tops; they too would do you a good turn if they could. You knew you could trust them.

(Did people used to get drunk?)...On very rare occasions; they did not have the money to get senseless.

Sometimes if a man was coming home on pay day with his wage packet, he might be persuaded to pop into the pub and be tempted to have more than one drink, but most men were honest and loyal to their wives.

In those days we didn't have the money to do the things the youth want to do today, so we used to make our own enjoyment; such as playing bays (hopscotch), hide & seek, and so on. Later on the teenagers looked forward to the Chapel socials on a Saturday night - because you were sure of some 'kissy rings' (a game where the participants got a number and were selected for a kiss by someone calling out a random number?).

They Socials were a 10 o'clock close. My dad used to say 'get yourself straight home'; the pit buzzer used to go and I had to be at the door to get in when it went off - or I was in big trouble. I might be saying goodnight to a nice lad and the buzzer went off and I was off like a shot...

We were all more or less on a level; it what not a case of 'he's got this and such & such has got that'; and we shared twhat we had as well. There was no jealously and the parents were very strict.

Today people get things too easy; in my day what you had either you worked for, or your dad worked for.

At school the teachers wouldn't stand any monkey business; their word went, they knew best. They were there to keep you on the straight and narrow. We respected them, even if some were horrible.

These days, the trouble is that these people have got used to having so much, and having got it so easily. We had to earn everything.

What we didn't have, our friends shared with us, and we did the same for them'.

(Exactly as she spoke).

---------------

(So, that's Thatcherism, Policing, Drink, State-handouts, Do-gooders, Nanmby-pambyism, and Parents, & possibly TV & Religion to blame then?).

[DENNIS HERTS Jan 18, 2008 12:03:32 PM]

"Bored and nothing to do lets go out and kick someone to death" its about time these do- gooders got it through their heads that nothing you do will alter some of these evil yobs,As a past Instructor at a Outdoor Centre we made every effort to involve the local youth culture providing financial help to those from low income families so they could take part,a few sessions of getting a little cold wet and having to put in a bit of team work and they were back on the street corner,we did have some who stayed the course and I hope went on to be better people,but I am afraid my milk of human kindness went when some of the youths we tried to help returned robbed and smashed up the centre.

[Jason, Reading Jan 18, 2008 12:02:41 PM]

I have to agree with Dennis Herts comments.

I have not seen a REAL POLICE OFFICER in my area hardly over the last year let alone the last 4 months.

I have only seen 3 or 4 plastic plods in this time also.

What the hell right do the Govenmant have raising council Tax when we are not getting the protection we pay for.

[DENNIS HERTS Jan 18, 2008 11:30:00 AM]

There was and item on the news regarding a Martial Arts Club teaching stick and walking cane to Senior Citizens for self defence "What a great idea" but whats the betting if one of them was to use it they would end up in court before you could say Bruce Lee.

[DENNIS HERTS Jan 18, 2008 10:48:41 AM]

May I suggest that members of this blog make a truthful count of just how many times you see a REAL POLICE OFFICER (Not plastic plods) in your area I have not seen one for at least 4 months and I am out and about every day and evening.

[Shirley in London Jan 18, 2008 10:32:45 AM]

The young people in Warrington have said they were bored and had nothing to do and that groups of young people had started drinking. We know that boredom and under confidence can make young people vulnerable to alcohol misuse. That’s why it’s great to see Mentor UK’s interest in hearing about schemes that help youngsters avoid the risks of trying alcohol by tackling boredom or the lack of aspiration, or schemes that encourage achievement and motivation.

They’ve launched the Mentor UK CHAMP Awards this week (Promoting Children’s Health through Alcohol Misuse Prevention) which recognizes and rewards schemes in Great Britain that help prevent youngsters of 14 and under misusing alcohol with £20,000 to help them expand their projects and share with others about how they have achieved their success in promoting healthy attitudes and behaviour and preventing alcohol misuse amongst young people.

If the Cheshire chief constable on patrol the night Mr Newlove was kicked to death by the gang has said that more needed to be done to prevent drunk teenagers doing "stupid things", then people in this area should see if there are clubs, schools or projects that could benefit from these awards. Details can be found at www.mentorfoundation.org/uk/awards

[scott, livingston, Scotland Jan 18, 2008 9:39:03 AM]

I myself am 19 years of age and i think these kids need to made an example of. The Goverment need to show young thugs like this that they cannot and will not get away with this kind of behaviour. They have shattered the lives of the newlove family beyond repair and my deepest sympathy's goes out to Mrs Newlove's family and friends.

[London, Middlesex Jan 18, 2008 7:53:35 AM]

This is about time we should open our eyes and educate ourselves and our children from childhood. The lesson “How to live in a society” starts from home and from childhood. These criminals are mindless thugs have no remorse to what they did to an innocent citizen who was trying to show his concerns against a crime being committed to an innocent person. But at the result he lost his life and criminals got slap on the wrist. This government is showing its weaknesses’ since Tony Blair in power in every way shape or form and that it is losing notonly iraq war but all battles at home , This is another example of government's lenient approach on everything from Education to Justice. The police are powerless and when the criminals are caught they receive just a slap o the wrist and freed to go for another bigger and horrible crime just because our jails are overcrowded and we do not have enough TV’s in our jails or not enough facilities for poor criminals. Amir Khan, Ruislip Middlesex

[Andy, Haywards Heath Jan 18, 2008 6:11:29 AM]

This is disgusting. I'm a 19 year old myself and I wouldn't dream of trying to hurt someone. let alone kill them. Yes ok i like to drink, but i do so in a pub or at home with friends and we sit talk and laugh. We don't roam the streets looking for trouble afterwards. I hear people saying that the age restriction for alcohol should be raised? what's the point? we raised the age for cigarettes and young kids are still getting their hands on them, age restrictions on these products will do nothing because anti social kids like these will still get their hands on it. I find myself hearing that we don't do anything to these kids because they're not old enough to be 'Tried as an adult'. What a load of rubbish, look at england nowadays... who causes the most trouble, adults or kids? so why give them a time frame to get away with it? "Oh yes, cause as much trouble as you want while you can, coz when you're older we can finally do something to you." why not make them responsible from the word go? I know i've gone on a bit here but i'm getting sick of it. every few weeks im hearing the story of teenage violence, and even now i get people who look at me with fear because i wear a leather jacket and have a cigarette in my hand and that makes me feel bad because as a person i don't like intimidating people. I try my best to be polite and respectful towards everyone else, and my upbringing can hardly be called perfect. These kids need to get a grip, these kids need to actually be punished and not scolded. And for a final note, All my deepest sympathies for the newlove family, i don't even want to imagine the pain you're going through and that you're still getting on with life and making a stand against kids such as these deserves my full and unconditional respect. Well done.