FRANK Field is correct to condemn violent gang behaviour. However, this is not anti-social but criminal behaviour and should be dealt with as such. 

Frank’s timing in shouting now is puzzling though. 

His groupies point to 8,000 anti-social behaviour incidents from April to September this year, but this is the same as in 2008/9, 7,800. In 2006/7 the figure was  12,600, somewhat worse. 

So why shout now? 

I also point readers to the council website which tells us that 73% of incidents in the worst  parts of Wirral relate to “inconsiderate and rowdy behaviour.” 

The British Crime Survey tells us that most inconsiderate behaviour  is speeding cars, badly parked cars and littering.  Most rowdy behaviour is “teenagers hanging about” plus “reported inebriates” not rampaging gangs. 

Of course an election is coming, so Frank wheels out his old “apocalypse wagon” again to call Birkenhead “The Beirut of the North.” 

More focus on real crime, not  misleading hysterical rhetoric, is what we need.

Professor D P Gregg by email.