A long, long time ago when I was at school (believe me it was a long time ago) there were occasional ‘disagreements’ with the kids who went to the nearby grammar school.

There were always rumours about arranged fights to settle our differences but nothing ever came of them.

But then again, we didn’t have social media to troll them with and to make firm arrangements for a showdown.

Times have changed and not always for the better it would appear.

I was disturbed this week to read the report on the Guardian website by Ned Bristow that youths from Northwich and Winsford have been involved in ‘arranged fights’.

They have been caught with weapons including knives and hammers over recent weeks.

The situation has prompted police to send out letters to parents warning that criminal charges will be brought against the minority responsible for fights in Winsford and Moulton on July 1 and 6.

In fact, as the report states, three 14-year-old boys have been arrested and bailed as part of the investigation and 11 anti-social behaviour letters issued.

Another meeting between two groups was disturbed by an increased police presence, and a Northwich inspector is urging parents to make sure their children are not involved.

In a warning letter, Insp Andy Smith said: “I want to stress that this is something that reaches beyond any school internal discipline processes.

“Those involved need to understand this is not something that will be dealt with via a detention or any other school-based discipline.

“Rivalry between young people in our communities is nothing new.

“However it’s clear the violence being used and weapons involved takes this to a new level.

“You will have all seen or heard about the tragic cases in the media recently where young people have died.

“Please don’t think that only happens in large cities.

“Given the weapons taken to all three incidents by some young people in these groups, this could have happened to one of your children, even if they simply went along to spectate.

“As the officer responsible for Operational Policing in Winsford and Northwich I will not stand by and watch young people hurt each other, and expose other people in the community to such shocking levels of violence.

“Community safety is our priority and anyone involved can expect to be arrested, their parents called to the custody facility, then interviewed and bailed.”

But just how bad is the level of violence?

Well in one instance in Winsford town centre, a youth had to be taken to hospital with a fractured cheekbone after being hit with a weapon of some description and in Moulton, two youths were arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a knife, hammer, cosh and metal seat post.

Not unreasonably, Insp Smith has made a plea to parents, saying: “I ask that you please take the necessary measures to ensure that your child has no involvement in any future disorder.”

To be honest, I’m sure the police have better things to do with their time than chase round after tooled-up yobs itching for a fight and while my views generally tend to be on the more liberal side when it comes to law and order, I’m right behind Insp Smith on this one.

n I’m just back from my annual two weeks in the Spanish sun and it’s at this point I would usually recount my tales of people inserting themselves into spaces on the beach that don’t really exist.

Being British, I don’t want to encroach into other people’s personal space when I put down my towel and up my beach umbrella but that doesn’t seem to be an issue for our Continental cousins who seem quite happy to get all up close and personal.

Anyway, I have a new problem to report this year – shade theft.

Being fair skinned, I do spend a lot of time hiding from the sun under my umbrella.

As anyone who has spent more than a couple of hours on a beach will know, the shadow cast by the sun moves during the course of the day so of course, I move with it.

So picture the scene, it’s mid afternoon on a fairly busy Mallorcan beach. My towel is in the shade and I wander down to the sea for a quick dip to cool off.

When I get back to my spot on the sand, a Spanish family had effectively plonked themselves down in the shadow cast by my brolly in what could only be considered a deliberate and provocative act of shade invasion.

I wasn’t impressed. It was almost enough to make me want to back a no deal Brexit.

But nevertheless, you will be glad to know I stood firm and reclaimed my shade without causing an international incident.

By The Fly in the Ointment