THUGS in rival gangs launch pitched battles, armed with iron bars, knives, powerful catapults - and even pistols and revolvers.

They roam their neighbourhoods, shouting obscenities and pushing people down. Police officers attempting arrests are surrounded by crowds shouting: "Rescue! Rescue!".

Official reports warn that children are "coarser, more vulgar", while newspapers thunder that the country is witnessing "the break-up of the old ideas of discipline or order".

Our towns and cities in the summer of 2007? No - a history of British life in the 1890s, when young people also petrified the generation born before them. In fact, the 1890s even had a 19th Century version of the "hoodie" scare of today - the "peaky-blinders" gangs, who prowled the streets in peaked caps.

I mention all this not to dispute the horror of recent shootings and stabbings, particularly of young people, that have hit the headlines this summer. The experts seem to agree that more people are carrying knives and that gang members are more likely to be armed with guns than ten, 20 years ago.

And it is, of course, no comfort to the victims of violent crime that Home Office figures show both fatal stabbings and shootings are down on a decade ago. Nevertheless, the headlines from generations past surely show it is foolish - as David Cameron did - to seize on some tragic deaths to claim we are confronted with "Anarchy in the UK".

Following the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, the Conservative leader suggested the shooting somehow epitomised a nation's crisis. His other soundbite was "broken society".

Yet a spate of gang killings prove only that Britain's cities have a problem with violent gangs - not that the entire country is going to the dogs.

I cannot be the only voter who simply does not see a breakdown of society, as I travel to work and take the kids to school. Along with his dog-whistle call to unhappy Tories that immigration is "too high", Mr Cameron's apocalyptic description of modern Britain proved only his growing desperation. Coming just one year after the Tory leader urged us to "hug a hoodie", it undeniably amounts to a "lurch to the right".

Mr Cameron should remember that when William Hague and Michael Howard tried to win elections with similar hardline tactics, they were comprehensively thrashed.

In stealing from the Sex Pistols to claim there is Anarchy In The UK, he chose a slogan that was Pretty Vacant.

IF, as many suspect, Tony Blair will cash in on his fame by making his fortune on the American lecture circuit, he is too cunning to reveal his hand. Not so George Bush.

Looking ahead to his retirement - aren't we all - the president had nothing to say about helping to make the world a better place post-White House.

Instead, he said: "I'll give some speeches, to replenish the ol' coffers. Clinton's making a lot of money."

Mr Bush, incidentally, is estimated to be worth $20m.

AT the risk of being accused of American-bashing, you will enjoy this prediction that faster Channel Tunnel trains will be a big hit with tourists from across the Atlantic.

Explaining how they love to "go under the sea", Neil Wootton, of travel company Premium Tours, said: "It's amazing how many Americans get on and expect to see fish and whales from the tunnel."