Give yobs the SAS treatment

As one who uses West Midlands buses quite regularly I was concerned to read in the Express & Star that a number of passengers were victims of so-called "steaming" by a gang of 20 or so thugs in the Heath Town area of Wolverhampton.

I don't refer to this terrifying experience as "steaming" but violent robbery committed by mindless, cowardly hoodlums.

It was, therefore, still in my thoughts when I visited some relatives recently and caught the 530 service from Wolverhampton to Bilston in broad daylight.

I was the only passenger on the upper deck when three "hoodies" boarded the bus in a less than salubrious area on the outskirts of Wolverhampton.

It started – the awful din from some musical apparatus, the loud chanting and subtle intimidation from the rear of me.

I was only too aware there was only me and them on the upper deck.

I checked my mobile telephone in my coat pocket and my wallet, devoid of cash but containing a debit and credit card.

If they had a go, I might flatten one or even two, but three was unlikely and in any case one if not all of them might be carrying a knife or other weapon.

It also crossed my mind that if the CCTV was working and if I went over the top in defending myself, I might end up being arrested for assault or worse.

Message to the Home Secretary – "This is the real fear of crime in this country today" and from the pen of a retired police officer.

So I adopted the stance of a coward and scurried downstairs to leave them making a horrendous noise to themselves.

The bus driver (a bunch I respect doing a difficult job) seemed to accept it as the norm as did the elderly passengers on the lower deck.

The hooded trio left the bus at Bilston bus station and swaggered off to do their daily business, whatever that was.

But I've got the answer: No, not Her Majesty's Penal Establishments or that badge of honour, the Asbo, but a little establishment not too far from the centre of Hereford.

During the 1980s I took part in an exercise as a hostage on train in a real-life training scenario with the Special Forces, the Police and other agencies.

All of us knew this was only an exercise but when the SAS stormed the train in pitch darkness, both my colleague and I locked in a sleeper carriage were absolutely terrified.

So, when the street or bus robbers are convicted, what about saving the MoD budget and herding them down to Hereford and using them as "hostages" in the "Killing House" where 22 SAS men do their highly specialised live firearms training.

After that they could be used as "victims" in the realistic public order street training before troops are sent abroad.

I guarantee the arrogant swagger and the lust to terrify and intimidate others would disappear!

But no, of course not – we must respect their human rights.

Barry A Mason,

Bull Meadow Lane,

Wombourne.