NEWS Shopper’s campaign against crime and vandalism is to be applauded but I wonder if other readers find the slang term “yob” as offensive as I do.
As a reputable newspaper, I feel you have a duty to respect the English language, your readers and even the people you describe, however unworthy. I believe this is lacking in the term you use.
Further, I note your paper is read by young people — like 10-year-old Ellie Edmonson, for instance — so the standard of literacy is important.
It is unnecessary to use such pejorative language to describe young offenders and “vandals” — their behaviour usually speaks for itself.
Perhaps you might devise a competition to give a different name to your campaign.
Joyce Tombs Cator Road SE26
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