'Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime.'' Well, we can bin that one. Certainly the phrase will never again cross Tony Blair's lips.

Eight years after he promised this panacea, law and order has just about broken down in many places across Britain. The attack that has left Ron Carroll, a thoroughly decent Salford man, father of four, fighting for his life in hospital after being set upon by a gang of teenagers he confronted when one them threw a stone at his car, just about says it all. Though the three thugs were almost certainly local, such is the fear of reprisals that no-one has volunteered information that might identify them.

Millions now live in districts that are virtually under mob rule at night. Even outside these no-go areas, few of us would have the confidence to approach a group of unruly teenagers without worrying that one or more might launch an attack, possibly with a knife.

But Tony Blair can't be blamed for this anarchy. It is the unpalatable fruit of a decay in parenting over at least the last two generations. Instilling in the young the "respect" that Tony Blair now pledges to restore starts in infancy. "Don't do that.'' "Always say 'please' and 'thank you'.'' "Don't interrupt when someone else is talking.'' Out of a few parameters like those comes the broader message they represent: "Think of other people not just yourself... Life is better for us all if we do.''

In fact most children still learn these things, behave well, and become good citizens. Since much popular culture - football, reality TV - shows people being unpleasant or downright nasty to each other, this is a triumph against seemingly overwhelming odds by many of today's parents. But the once-smattering of young kids who grow up virtually wild has become legion.

The 19-year-old Wallsend girl, Kerry McLaughlin, whose anti-social conduct has provoked more than 100 complaints from her neighbours, seems typical. She obviously has no idea how to behave towards other people. It is not even clear she recognises the distress her behaviour, like playing loud music, causes others.

Here's another example. Down at Whitby, four teenagers who chased a group of Danish students through the town, finally confronting them with planks and rubble near the Magpie Caf, have just appeared in court. The two who were dealt with, both 15, one of whom had punched a student in the face, were both made subject to "referral orders''. Whatever they are they can't be much of a deterrent, since one of the offenders was already under a three-month "referral order'' when he took part in the gang attack.

Yes, the law must be tougher and we need more policemen. That's for now, to curb disrespect. But true respect is not a negative thing, born of fear, but a positive recognition of the rights and worth of others. Getting this back will take as long as the period in which it has unravelled. The current drift is still the other way. Requiring people to work until 70, for example, will spell the end of much precious childcaring by grandparents. "Tough on the causes of crime", if ever heard, will ring still more hollow.

* Due to a technical error, Peter Mullen's column yesterday had already appeared in The Northern Echo. We apologise for any confusion caused.