We've lost the plot somewhere. The nation's youth are running wild.

They have no respect for parents, teachers or the law. The younger generation seem to be in the grip of some kind of collective madness.

Day after day we agonise over reports in the Argus of the yob culture at work, leaving behind a trail of wanton destruction and sometimes death.

Like the four drunken youths who roared the wrong way up Ditchling Road in Brighton until their stolen car smashed into a wall. Jamie White, 18, was thrown out and killed.

Passer-by Donald Priest, a 71-year-old pensioner, was left crippled.

The driver, 18-year-old Gary Whibley, ran from the scene, abandoning his mates. He denied all responsibility when police caught up with him.

I'm still enraged by the letter from German teacher Jorg Seiler in the Argus last week telling of the violent treatment his party of 93 schoolchildren received at the hands of young hooligans.

Every night, as they left their coaches at Southwick Green after a day's outing, the German youngsters were sworn at and attacked by English teenagers awaiting their arrival. Some of the girls were threatened with rape.

Herr Seiler said his group had been sending over school parties for 20 years. They will not be coming again.

"I don't think it is a question of installing CCTV or increasing police patrols," he said. "It is a question of mutual understanding and respect."

He put his finger on it. These yobbos care for nobody.

What's happened out there on the streets? Could it be that parents in this Lotteryland of get-rich-quick dreams are too busy watching the telly to bother about bringing up their children properly?

Where are our youth leaders in this sorry situation?

West Street in Shoreham, along the road from Southwick, is the home of SABC Clubs for Young People in Sussex, the most active youth organisation in this area.

By strange coincidence, Peter Fry, chairman of the organisation, has just approached me seeking support for "a significant and exciting project for the young people of Sussex."

It turns out to be the creation of an excellent website - www.yesregister.org.uk - offering young people a vast range of information and support.

Employment and training, recreation and sport, health and lifestyle - the range of subjects is immense. Drug and drink helplines figure prominently.

What a great idea. The young are very much at home on the internet so it makes good sense to use it in this way to capture their imagination.

Sadly, there are those who will not be interested, since there is nothing to tell them how to crack a few heads or break into locked cars.