NO one denies the menacing problems caused by the so-called yob culture.

Decent law-abiding people are boycotting town and city centres at night because of the hooligan and drunken element within young people. And even at home, many decent law-abiding communities are being terrorised by foul-mouthed gangs hanging round street corners.

It is high time action was taken to stamp out the problem before it spirals out of control.

Sadly, we have to join critics in denouncing the Government's latest proposals to tackle the issue as gimmicks.

It is difficult to envisage the measures in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill being effective.

They are fundamentally flawed, designed to gain popularity ahead of the election, rather than curb the activities of hooligans and tearaways.

In theory, the extension of curfews and fixed penalties seem sound measures, in tune with the public's demand for a get-tough approach to crime.

In practice they are doomed to failure.

The only effective deterrent to criminals of any kind is the fear of being caught. And without additional recruits, the police will never be able to increase arrest levels.

It is a pointless exercise to give police officers the powers to impose curfews and on-the-spot fines if there aren't any police officers on the streets to hand them out.

Indeed, the administration of such measures will merely serve to make officers even more deskbound.