LETTER:Crime ratios now
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr E. Paull
Sir: Polly Toynbee, in another of her "away with moral panic" articles, recalls similar "panics" over crime in yesteryear ("Pollyanna vs the pessimists", 14 June).
She mentions the "hooligan gangs" in the late Nineties of the last century, and the Teddy boys of the Fifties in this century. At the time of the "hooligan gangs", the ratio of crimes to population was one to 350. In the Fifties it was one to 100. Now it is, approximately, one to 10.
Incidentally, I was living on the southside of Clapham Common when a Teddy boy killed a youth just across the Common. That murder caused nationwide concern; now it would be just another street killing.
Yours faithfully,
E. PAULL
London, SW16
14 June
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments