L to the OL
Friday, February 15th, 2008
BOXING hero Ricky Hatton last night called for Britain to stop pulling punches in the fight against street yobs.
Backing The Sun’s campaign to mend Broken Britain, Ricky said the violence can only be stopped by courts, schools and parents getting tougher.
He told us: “Things are terrible on our streets and seem to be getting worse. People are dying left, right and centre.
“It seems you can’t go out for a drink and walk home without someone setting on you.
“I think you need to hit yobs harder. By that I mean stronger sentences for them.”
Ricky, who lives in nearby Hyde, recalled: “Last Sunday I watched the Manchester United and City derby, where the fans behaved impeccably. It was a wonderful day.
“Then a man was beaten up in the street and left badly injured. I found out next day. It put a dark cloud over everything. I feel desperately sorry for him and his family.”
Ricky went on: “We can’t ignore what’s happening any more. Every time you pick up the paper you read about youngsters killing someone, stabbing someone.
“I don’t think a slap on the wrist is enough. You’ve got to make an example of them in the courts.
“But something also has to be done across the board. Parents must be stronger, schools need discipline.
“And we need more police on the streets. If a group of kids is hanging around they should be moved on – but I’m not saying every kid on a street corner is a yob.”
Ricky believes much misbehaviour is caused by boredom due to a lack of anything to do.
He said: “When I was growing up I never saw trouble. But there seemed to be youth clubs everywhere then.”
Ricky, dubbed The Hitman, pledged to work with youngsters when he hangs up his gloves.
He said: “I’m going to become a trainer. Not just professionals, amateurs as well. Gyms are a place where these kids can channel their anger and find older role models.
“Delinquents can turn into gentlemen. There’s so many cases of that in boxing. I’d also like the gym to be a place where kids can go, like the youth clubs when I was a kid.
“I want to put something back into the community and stop the boredom that turns youngsters into yobs.”
I think you need to hit yobs harder. By that I mean a seriously good punch in the groin. Then, when they’re down, we mash their head into the pavement and shout “WRONG” in their face.
I think you need to hit yobs harder. By that I mean eradicate violence from society.
I think you need to hit yobs harder. By that I mean more youth clubs. Plus an occasional knife in the guts for petty thieves wouldn’t hurt.
I think you need to hit yobs harder. By that I mean I’ve no real idea what needs to be done, but more pro-active rhetoric (that’s straight talking you nonce) would be a bloody good start.
PS: “FERAL THUGS”, I think I hear them howling in the night.
