SIR, — I have read the story regarding the police powers for parking attendants (Herts Advertiser, March 20). I have to confess to having to read the story several times. I checked the date, it wasn t April 1. Was I going mad? No — another initiative . I

SIR, - I have read the story regarding the police powers for parking attendants (Herts Advertiser, March 20). I have to confess to having to read the story several times. I checked the date, it wasn't April 1. Was I going mad? No - another "initiative".

I question the mental condition of any of the bodies that are in a position of power to evolve these completely-mindless, ill-thought-out schemes. Another 28 offences for our fine body of privatised parking attendants, known throughout the area for their caring and congenial attitudes and their desire to only ensure the motorists are safe from dangerously-parked cars - and not a bunch who hang around the car parks poised ready to slap a ticket on parked cars that have gone a few minutes over time.

Yes, we can trust them to take on board responsibly the new powers once only available to a trained police force.

You can see them now, poised at street corners, digital cameras at the ready just to reinforce the law, serve and protect.

It is of course all along some bright spark's idea of "let's save some more money" and relieve our stressed and very-visible police force from having to deal with traffic offences. What police force? When was the last time you ever saw a policeman or a police car in the town to observe traffic?

And you know, at one time nobody would have the gall to suggest the mad-cap schemes that this Government seems capable of spewing out at an absurd rate. And you know who is to blame? You all are.

Whatever happened to the revolutionary spirit of our youth that would stand up and say no and take action if necessary.Thatcher's "work-ethic, get-selfish, look-after-number-one" children are now the parents of this new generation. Well it was certainly worth destroying the unions' powers, wasn't it, and taking apart whole cohesive communities? Divide and rule, and so many fell for it and now we will pay for it.

DAVID PURTON,

Ennis Close, Harpenden.