SIR — Having acquired a copy of the West Somerset Free Press of October 12, I feel the need to ask the question: "What has happened to Watchet?"

I spent my entire childhood growing up in the town, where the most serious criminal offence was a punch-up outside a local public house at closing time.

Now I find myself reading about sex offences, muggings and, heaven forbid, armed robberies.

I left the rural life of Watchet behind some 19 years ago, a time when you could leave your front door unlocked with no fear of being burgled. What are the odds on that occurring these days?

I am not proclaiming to be an angel, far from it, but I find it quite alarming that the urban culture of city life has found its way into what was on the whole a peaceful way of life living in Watchet.

Society surely has gone insane. Just how long before the local constabulary are patrolling Swain Street armed with firearms? Frightening, isn't it?

David Webster,

Redlands Road,

Enfield,

Middlesex.