• ANTONY Porter wonders whether conscription might be the answer to the problem of ill-mannered youths, (Is it not time we brought back conscription? May 9).

While the armed forces do tend to produce decent and disciplined people with their square-bashing and general training, few serving would welcome conscription.

And let’s hope the troublesome dictators of the world don’t force any government to consider its reintroduction any time soon.

Better discipline in the home and in schools should be the answer.

As to the examples of failure to deal with troublesome youths, the street marshals could have, and should have, challenged cyclists on the pavement – all of us should do so – and I find myself reprimanding pavement cyclists more than once most weeks.

Cyclists on pavements love it when I quote the Highways Act 1835, section 72 and its prohibition of such dangerous acts.

On the train, adult passengers should have supported the train supervisor who should have dealt with anti-social behaviour.

Doing nothing is not the answer, although it’s easier said than done, I grant you. Moving to another railway carriage is an answer of sorts.

LESTER MAY, NW1