Individuals who stick their necks above the parapet in order to highlight an injustice or right a wrong are, really, the lifeblood of our communities. Without brave people to speak out against problems when they see them, life would be a lot worse for a lot of people.

So it is terrible that Elaine Booth has been threatened after taking a stance against the quad bike riders she says are a nuisance on her estate. Mrs Booth was taking her grandson out of her car when a youth on a bike drove straight at her, narrowly missing her and the two-year-old.

Mrs Booth was absolutely right to speak out against what she perceives as a menace in her community, and she should not have to suffer the outrage of being bullied and threatened for doing her bit for her community.

It is to be hoped that Mrs Booth has the backing of her neighbours and other people on her estate, and that the police to whom she has complained about the problem do everything in their power to bring this to a swift resolution.

Bullies must never be allowed to get away with harrassing and threatening individuals who speak out against them. If we allow that to happen then they have won. Not everyone is confident enough to speak out against anti-social behaviour, for fear of exactly this type of repercussion, but if communities stand strong together then they can show a united front to the thugs.

With the backing of the police and the Council, then communities can see off these menaces and show them they are not wanted on Bradford’s estates, and their bully-boy tactics will not work.