Sirs - In response to the issues highlighted in your newspaper about student behaviour, it saddens me to think that all students are being negatively portrayed, based on the behaviour of a small minority.

In the 2013-14 academic year our students under took more than 15,000 hours of official voluntary work (with many more unrecorded) within the local and surrounding communities.

Our students work hard to help out so many different people and it’s a shame it is spoilt by a few exceptions.

I am aware that a small minority of students have caused noise disturbances and issues for local residents; however this is not a reason to paint all students with the same brush.

To those of you who believe that all students are ‘bad eggs’ I ask you to consider this…the Paramedic who battles to save your loved ones life, is or was a student; the nurse who will care for you as you grow old, is or was a student, the teacher who will shape your children’s and future generations lives, is or was a student; the sports coach who volunteers in your local community, is or was a student; and the web designer who helps your business to grow, is or was a student.

As a Students’ Union, we fully recognise the need to ensure that student behaviour is acceptable.

I also recognise the need to work more closely with the local community to strengthen and build bridges.

We are all working very hard to ensure that students and the local community can learn to live peacefully together.

Abi Clarke

Vice President Student Activities

Worcester Students’ Union