I note in the September 8 edition of the Gazette, some children were stealing cider from the Co-op at Glanville’s Mill last Saturday.

This is surely an indication that children have far too much holiday during the year.

I would suggest therefore that the summer holiday be reduced from the present six to seven weeks to around four weeks, as is the case in Japan and South Korea.

In addition, I suggest that the Christmas and Easter holidays be each around seven to 10 days.

The school day should begin at 7.30am and finish at 4.30pm with an extra hour for cleaning and tidying up followed by a session at a ‘crammer’ school from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

This is the case in Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China, including the auto­nomous regions of Honk Kong and Macau. On my travels to all these countries, I have not witnessed a single incident of untoward behaviour.

I am sure that the above proposals would greatly reduce child delinquency at a stroke.

David Forrester

Trehill Road, Ivybridge