OVER the years I have written about areas of Cowdenbeath that are so important.

The War Memorial, the Town House; High Street footfall and the area behind McColls and leading up to short of the back of Morrisons.

I agree with Darren Watt, I too feel angered by the destruction at the War Memorial at the North End, but I am also bewildered.

The true facts are, as I understand them, are 20 to over 100 'kids' hang around the Public Park area and War Memorial.

According to your report riot vans are there all the time! Surely the first priority is to stop these individuals being there let alone damage or vandalising areas. Are these kids being arrested? Are these kids being brought before any type of Court? (as no mention of any real ages).

First of all I would fine each person/kid a set amount, say £100, this alone might bring the notice of their parents to the table.

If they are of age I would say bring them to Court and sentence and or fine with warnings of custodial sentences or equivalent according to ages. I would ensure the leaders of these packs/gangs are severely punished. Throw the book at them.

For doing this to such an historic area without guilt or conscience would question a lot.

As a deterrent Fife Council have to install strong bright lights that they cannot have access to, to break these, along with a set of security cameras.

Now for this to really work it cannot be done in hindsight, so what about a voluntary group monitoring the CCTV cameras on a rota?

Now this is the biggest question. We must be able to contact either a special Police number or a voluntary group number, that has the power to act straight away in real time.

With all the people whose houses overlook the War Memorial they too could call in.

We need foot patrols who regularly check at the top of the Memorial just to let these people know they are being monitored.

The police must have temporary officers or other people trained in police/army work. Retired people can also help by logging all that is going on.

There is no way anyone can stop all this sheer destruction, if everyone waits until after the event then moans. We can all be of help though if there is an emergency number that could get others before damage occurs.

The police have a lot on their plates just now but surely all reading this can think of another wee way to help again 'if' there is an emergency number to contact when seeing these people gather, everyone that sees them from their homes could contact that number.

Most will not right now, as they feel the police over-worked as it is. But if it is true in your article about the riot vans being called it is a no brainer.

These individuals must be punished, indeed, often money may be what is stopped if they are fined.

Mandatory fines for all uplifted with at least detention plus fines for the leaders to deter.

If being uplifted, let loose of course they are going to keep coming back. Do not let the word 'kids' put you off.

What are all these enormous grants and sponsors meaning to help Cowdenbeath, where is all this money going.

I will this time leave out my passion for the Town House and and why no news on its future being issued by the way

MAUREEN KENNEDY,

Identicat Scotland,

Cowdenbeath.