IT IS apparent from three recent articles in the Star that skaters and their like are the cause of the demise of St Helens town centre, desecrating churches (March 12), terrifying the local population (letters) and driving out business (March 18).

If only we could rid ourselves of these troublesome youths then St Helens would be magically transformed back to the Eden it once was.

Clearly this is nonsense yet this attitude persists from people who should know better.

The malaise in St Helens town centre is far deeper. The empty shops, lack of variety, a night time culture centred around Westfield Street and Duke Street that only seems to value wandering crowds of drunken men and women (note not youths), vomiting, urinating and fighting and causing a massive drain on policing in the area.

I am an adult man, well able to look after myself but if I should want to go out for an evening why would I want to inflict this on my wife and family?

St Helens town centre is the last place I would look to go, and it is not because of the young people gathered in Church Square but because of loutish behaviour of the people who have the audacity to call themselves adults.

Once upon a time, Liverpool was in much the same state but now it’s a mixed economy of late opening shops, selling stuff that people want alongside classy bars and pubs, music and good eateries and a good atmosphere that welcomes all, including young people of all types (and skaters).

The only way to turn the culture of St Helens around is to start with the young people. It’s too late for many of the others, they’ve already set their course and it’s not a good one. Instead of vilifying, engage with them. It may take a generation to turn it around but by looking to the long term the results will be more permanent.

These young people are our sons and daughters and are as entitled to be in the town centre as anyone else, and as with anyone else if criminal activity is taking place, we have the law, the police and the courts to deal with the individuals involved.

To condemn all for the actions of a few is unjust and only seeks to shift the blame for deeper problems onto the shoulders of those least able to defend themselves.

Joe Higgins, Youth Aflame