It is disturbing that private security guards have had to be employed at Coral bookmakers in Duckworth Lane to protect staff and customers who have been subjected to a campaign of harassment and intimidation by a gang of local youths.

The police surely should be able to deal with this problem. The gang has a name. Its members don't appear to hide themselves away. They openly confront customers. It shouldn't take too much detective work to identify them and deal with them with the use of anti-social behaviour orders, nipping the problem in the bud rather than letting it spiral out of control.

The police say they are "monitoring the situation" and are "consulting with Coral". They add that if there are incidents of disorder and youth nuisance they will tackle the problem.

How many incidents do they need? The betting shop has had to reduce its opening hours. Its customers are being warned off by gang members. And now private security people have been brought it. This is a serious situation not just for Coral but for the Duckworth Lane community. Who would want to open a business there if this is the sort of treatment they are subjected to?

The police reluctance to act decisively sends out entirely the wrong message to the youths, who will feel they are beyond the law. It also sends out a disturbing message to all legitimate businesses - that even though they pay through their taxes to be protected by the police, they must be ready to pay again for private protection if the need arises.