I'm sorry that your correspondent is feeling so intimidated, (We can't take any more, News Shopper October 5), but it is not a picture of St Michaels that I recognise as a resident myself.

There are young people about, not least because there is a school almost on my doorstep, but 'group' doesn't automatically equal 'threat'.

For example: I was walking the dog one afternoon not long ago when I turned into a quiet street. Ahead of me was a large group of teenage boys spilling over the pavement and into the road. My dog is small and elderly and I was in no rush but the group was slow moving and I quickly caught them up.

There was a fair bit of good natured banter and pushing and shoving going on and, to be sure, the language was a little ripe, but as soon as one of the boys saw me he instantly alerted his friends ordering them to make way and look sharp.

I paraphrase here as this is a family paper! With a thank you to them for their courtesy to me if not each other, dog and self sailed through and on our way.

As it happened, coming from a family of brothers, having sons myself and having worked in schools, I was able to make a judgement that they were not a threat to me but it is entirely possible that a local resident who happened to see them go by from their window might have formed a false perception of threat and caused themselves quite unnecessary and unwarranted anxiety.

Antisocial behaviour is unacceptable at any age and causes intense frustration and, as in the case of your correspondent, real distress, but let's not assume the worst in all because of the activities of the minority.

Pat Ball, address supplied