Nicholas Soames, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Mid Sussex, was a panellist at the Burgess Hill Leylands Action Group's public meeting at Sheddingdean Community Centre on Tuesday 19th April.

Commenting after the meeting Mr Soames said; "We need to address the causes of anti social behaviour which blights the quality of life of residents. The Police cannot solve all society's ills and today's expectations of them are beyond all recognition but the Police need to send out a firm message that anti social behaviour will not be tolerated and that the law will be enforced."

Mr Soames said; "This problem requires more than just policy - agencies need to work together and play their part. It is down to education, policy and parent responsibility. Children need to learn the consequences of their behaviour - respect for the law, respect for others and respect for property.

"It is clear from the increasing number of complaints that I have received from residents of Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath that we need to improve the facilities for the young. If I am re-elected I will press the local authorities to conduct an audit of youth facilities."

Mr Soames said; "A Conservative Government would confront the worsening yob culture head on by introducing new controls on late night drinking, strengthening the role of local authorities in the licensing of drinking establishments and by giving local communities a bigger role in deciding where pubs and clubs are located. We will recruit 5,000 more police every year and strip them of the burden of bureaucracy that stops the Police fighting crime."

"We will introduce enforceable home-school contracts that spell out both parents' and pupils' responsibilities. We will give Heads complete control over expulsion. If they decide to expel a disruptive pupil they will not be second-guessed by an outside panel."