ON MONDAY while walking my baby grandson in Redhill Park I saw a mother breaking several large branches from one of the trees, which was heavy with blossom, for her children to play with.

I considered speaking to her about damaging public property but thought she must be aware she was doing wrong and would respond with abuse and possible aggression - not something I was willing to provoke while with my grandson.

Having read the account the following day of the parents who were incensed at being called to account for their children picking flowers in a Poole park it seems that many people are appallingly ignorant of what is right and wrong today.

Since parents cannot be relied on to instil proper values in their children it is necessary to call on the police at times to enforce the law even with apparently trivial matters. I didn't inform the police because I didn't think they would be interested or arrive before the culprits had left the area.

BRENDA BUNDY, Swansbury Drive, Bournemouth