On Friday at around 10.55pm I was writing a letter to my 87-year-old war veteran grandfather, who has just lost his wife, when my peace, quiet and concentration were disturbed by a group of about 15 to 20 drunken teenage boys who barged into the courtyard of our usually tranquil abode.

I rang 999 and asked for a police presence, to be on the safe side, as an argument was ensuing between the gang and a neighbour which in my opinion had the potential of becoming ugly.

To the credit of my neighbour and the gang of boys, the argument abated without any police involvement.

What absolutely gobsmacked me was the attitude of the police operator who asked me: "Why did you ring the emergency services?"

Call me old fashioned but I was under the impression that the police are paid to maintain order in society.

When a breach of the peace occurs, I understood that one should turn to them in the first instance.

However, subsequent to the controller's attitude and obvious lack of concern, I must assume that Sussex Police have better things to do with their time. That is fine. I now know where I stand.

What the controller did not know is that I train and discipline rottweillers and German shepherds.

In future, I will not bother the police if there is disorder in my neighbourhood.

I will sort it out myself and, should any litigation stem from that, the controller's comments are on tape.

  • Shaun Young, St George's Mews, Brighton