This week, the Royal Society of the Arts suggested – not a little controversially – that civic-minded citizens should be given the appropriate training in restraint and first aid techniques should they be moved to become so-called “have-a-go heroes” and intervene in situations they think demand their attention.

It’s obvious to see what led to the RSA’s suggestion – anti-social behaviour is becoming such a blight on our communities that more and more people are getting to the point of desperation and, as police resources become more thinly stretched, feel their only recourse is to take matters into their own hands.

The RSA, though, is fighting a rearguard action and seems to be effectively admitting that it is inevitable that citizens will decide to have a go themselves, with the risk of injury to themselves and the potential rise of vigilantism on the streets.

But, trust in Yorkshire for some straighter thinking.

In Girlington , there has been an ongoing problem of youths engaging in anti-social behaviour that is causing misery for residents, especially elderly inhabitants of the area.

Businessman Manoj Dayalji has vowed that he will stand up to the youths if he has to.

But here’s the thing. Instead of the citizens being taught how to intervene, Mr Dayalji suggests that the education should be directed at the troublemakers themselves.

They need to be taught how to behave, he says, made to confront their behaviour, and educated in the ways of how honest, law-abiding people do and should carry out their day-to-day living.

Which sounds very much like us to be a good dose of common sense.