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Added: Saturday, 18 July, 2009, 10:44 GMT 11:44 UK

It was with toe-curling despair that I sat watching the responses to this question. Has no one ever opened a history book? If poverty is the "root cause" of crime then why in the earlier parts of the 20th century when poverty and hardship were far greater than they are now, was crime a tiny fraction of today's levels? - crime levels have risen roughly 5000% in the last century. The responsibility for today's pandemic levels of crime lies with the collapse of authority and self-restraint.

S Haworth, Liverpool, UK, England,

Added: Friday, 17 July, 2009, 08:55 GMT 09:55 UK

I find it really disappointing that during last night's debate no-one considered dealing with the problem of youth anti-social behaviour by any other means than through prescriptive central government policy. ASB affects local communities, therefore local organisations (Councils, Neighbourhood Policing Teams) should be given the resources to deal with the problem in the way that is most appropriate for the locality, not obligated to enforce impractical and urban-focussed Whitehall initiatives.

Charlotte Moore, Bristol, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 23:36 GMT 00:36 UK

Should the Tories win the next election, the first thing I'm going to do (once I've stopped crying) is go on Ebay and spend around 2 quid on the cheapest, crappest mobile phone I caqn find...just in case a copper decides he doesn't like the look of me....

Jangly Mark, Swansea, UK, Wales,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:55 GMT 23:55 UK

This government is set on creating policy after policy which criminalise young people for doing what generations have done,hanging around the streets and parks and dare I say it drinking too. One of the panellist said that there use to be many youth clubs,provided by local councils. As a youth worker of 23 years I have seen the destruction of the youth service with constant cut back,commissioning out of services our work is under valued and we now have the youth justice agenda forced apone us.

Mrs Johnson, Manchester, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:54 GMT 23:54 UK

I think there are too many rules in this country leave us alone

linda clegg, Exmouth, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:31 GMT 23:31 UK

firstly no im not a "HOODIE" its unacceptable that the gov think ALL teenagers are bad people it sickens me. yes there are teenagers who are wrong but the majority get the blame when its not fair! i have a job have got to where i am because i wanted it. Some teenagers are bad because they don't have support from the goverment like not enough youth clubs,sport clubs etc so they are to find something to do so they drink etc another reason is. is the way they are braught up by there parents.

Richard, 17, Manchester, UK, England,