Time to get tough with weekend thugs in A&E

THE abuse and intimidation of staff in hospital A&E departments by drug abusers and drunks must be addressed. Many of them are the terror of medical staff in hospitals every weekend, as well as occupying beds badly needed for seriously ill patients.

Such people — many of them in good employment — feel they are above the law and free to intimidate and exploit us all each weekend as they indulge in drug and alcohol orgies. Unless they are severely penalised for such behaviour they will continue to make life intolerable for us all.

Such carry-on, once associated with males only, is also prevalent now among females We all accept the exuberance of youth, but no one can be expected to tolerate the beastly behaviour we witness from some of both sexes as they use our streets and doorways as public toilets. Our schools must cultivate civic respect and personal responsibility, as well as social behaviour codes.