Campaign proves it's good to talk

Not least on that list are the 1,000-plus upset teenagers who campaigned on Facebook for the nights to go ahead.

Inspector Allan Lowe's decision to meet and talk to 20 of the campaigners '“ and then remove the police opposition to the events '“ also deserves special commendation.

The police are often accused of a heavy-handed response to problems involving groups of young people.

Yet, in meeting the campaigners and discussing the issues which led to the night's original cancellation, Insp Lowe showed them the police are not necessarily the faceless, authoritarian killjoys many youngsters undoubtedly believe them to be.

The respect he has earned for the police in the eyes of these young people may be of untold value in future years.

The club's managers, Danielle Smith and Jamie Sim, cannot be praised enough for the intelligent, dignified persistence with which they campaigned for their cause.

They knew the value of their event in a town which has its share of problems caused by a few bored youngsters with nowhere to go and made sure the police and council were left in no doubt as to the many benefits of the event.

Talking to young people about solving the problems caused by a few bad apples isn't just the best way of tackling the issue; it should be the only way.

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