MADAM, It is good to see that the Ross Gazette is reporting on some of the less savoury aspects of nightlife in Ross town centre, which is doubtless the experience of most other towns and cities in this country.
It is about time some of our idiot politicians at Westminster who advocated extended drinking hours faced up to what they have unleashed. You can blame the yobs for causing the trouble in the first place, of course, but take a trip through Ross at 2am on a Sunday and count the number of police cars and vans (some of which have come from Newport). Or visit the A&E in Hereford at midnight when you have an emergency – then you will see the true cost of it all.
I see Councillor Cutter is quoted as saying, "We cannot have this sort of thing in Ross". Where was he when I objected to the new Sainsbury's store applying to sell alcohol from 6am in the morning to midnight, seven days a week? Why does it take virtually a riot for the police to enforce the law on those establishments in the town that have obviously been serving alcohol to drunks?
And don't think it is just alcohol that gets served up. Ask some of those who actually live in the town what goes on while the politicians and decision-makers are safely tucked up in their beds, safely out of town somewhere.
Drinking to excess is encouraged for financial reasons, violent behaviour is something that certain people think will improve their reputation, and guess what – all your readers pick up the huge tab at the end of it all. Good news is always nice, real news is what counts. Well done, Ross Gazette!
Andrew Meek, Ross