We make no excuse for highlighting the views of the children from St Andrew's School on this page and also on an inside page.

Their sad and sometimes frightening words about how they see life in Keighley, need to be read and digested by the community at large.

They make disturbing reading as their open letters amply demonstrate the extent of their fears and the affect violence in their midst can have on young minds.

These views may never have been known had the youngsters not been overheard discussing them during lunch times.

Thankfully, teacher Shirley Davids had foresight and gave them the opportunity to have their voices heard.

But once the shock and sorrow behind their work has abated a shaft of light from the beacon of hope can be seen.

The exercise of sharing their feelings and finding a voice has made them less afraid.

The police plan to build on that positive note and carry out follow up work.

The fact of the matter is that their fears and also those of adults throughout the area are in most respects unfounded.

Keighley is not a den of iniquity. It has its problems like anywhere else.

At the moment it is still suffering from the hangover of a number of serious crimes which have given rise to the children's impassioned views.

The picture is nowhere near as grim as it may seem.

A great deal of work is going on and will continue to develop.

Positive action is being taken in numerous directions.

Our campaign to protect young people from "mobile muggers" was boosted this week by the Lord Chief Justice's declaration that all mobile phone robbers, regardless of age, must be locked up.

This week we have given the newspaper's backing to a move by a local company to help protect young people from the dangers of indecent Internet web site content and the threat from chat-room paedophiles.

What the children of St Andrews have done is to be open and honest about their feelings and put a new item on the agenda for community action.

They are now thinking of ways to help themselves.

But they need our ideas and support to turn their tears into smiles, along with all of our young people.