Shropshire Star

Cathy Dobbs: Tough response needed over riots

This week I’ve spoken with someone that runs courses for severely disadvantaged children and teenagers.

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Riots in France

When they turn up, the children as young as 11 often need clothes and food, and have sometimes suffered abuse. The children periodically go to school and struggle with reading.

We know there are parents that can’t cope, and thousands of children are suffering as a consequence. Britain isn’t alone in this. Look at the rioting in France, where children as young as 13 have been arrested.

French President Macron has said parents need to take greater responsibility for their children – but these are just empty words, as the majority of parents with well-behaved children wouldn’t dream of letting them join in the riots.

It’s a question that needs a tough response – and as we’ve seen in France, that just leads to more protests. Macron really can’t win.