SIR - In response to Paul in last week s Comet, I would like to say how outraged I was that you think we, as a society in Stevenage, should share the responsibility for the tragic death of a young man a few weeks ago, along with his murderers. I am 24 yea

SIR - In response to Paul in last week's Comet, I would like to say how outraged I was that you think we, as a society in Stevenage, should share the responsibility for the tragic death of a young man a few weeks ago, along with his murderers.

I am 24 years old and it was not long ago I was a teenager growing up in this town, and I can assure you that whenever I was bored, I never felt the urge to drink, graffiti, rob or destroy property, let alone commit murder!

You go on to say that in order for teenagers to have fun, they have to be able to afford it. I had a paid job as soon as I turned 16! Anything I wanted to do, I did using my own money which I had worked hard for, whilst staying in school and getting an education.

Too many times we read in the headlines of criminal acts committed by teenagers who were just bored and had nothing to do. There is a dramatic decline in the family unit in general, we see teenagers pushing prams in the town centre, claiming benefits and seeing each new baby as an investment to getting a better council house. They teach their children no understanding of morals or respect for others, because they lack morals and respect for themselves.

It is a vicious cycle and has nothing to do with teenagers needing more places to visit or things to do. When the government gives the council more money to invest in activities for our teenagers, there will still be those committing murder on our doorsteps, only next time there will be a different excuse than boredom.