SIR – Anyone listening to BBC Hereford and Worcester radio recently will be aware of an 11-year-old boy causing mayhem, damage, attacking disabled people (even adults), spitting at people, and making threats in Kidderminster.

I do not know his parents, but I am willing to bet that anyone who does will know why he behaves this way.

What he needs is pretty clear to anyone with a notion of good parenting practice, but sadly he knows that will not happen, hence his complete disregard and lack of respect for anyone.

But he is not the first example of this type of feral child, and sadly, he will not be the last, which leads us to ask why.

This type of behaviour in young children was almost unheard of 30 or 40 years ago, so what has changed?

I think that the answer is what is commonly termed political correctness.

Before the 1980s, it was assumed that the rights of the adult exceeded those ascribed to the child, which was quite sensible, given that it is adults who are charged with guiding, teaching, and disciplining children.

Then the politically correct step onto the scene, and the landscape undergoes radical change, with children’s rights superseding those of the adults trying to supervise and care for them.

Now teachers and police officers have to behave so carefully around children, and out-of-control children like the latest one in Kidderminster are only too aware of the fact, hence the common reply to challenge of “You can’t touch me” or “I know my rights” followed by numerous expletives and general abuse.

Just to undermine adults even further, the antismacking brigade whine on about the evils of smacking.

It is called discipline, and while it is not the only form of discipline, it is one of the most effective.

One of the reasons paedophile gangs enjoy such easy access to children in care is that social workers are not allowed to stop their charges walking out of the home at any time they choose, because the rights of the child are given priority.

It is absolutely crazy thinking, and it is no coincidence that such incidents have increased.

WILL RICHARDS

Malvern