The Editor, Sir:

On Sunday, October 4, I attended the exciting Red Stripe 20/20 Finals at Sabina Park. I truly enjoyed the event especially so, seeing that I was there with my nine-year-old son and we won a prize from one of the associate sponsors. I was a little disappointed though that despite there being no charge, there were not more spectators at the event.

I watched the first innings from the George Headley Stands before relocating to the North Stands adjacent the St Catherine Saints' dressing room. While I was in the George Headley Stands during the rain interruption, my attention was caught by the sound of breaking bottles. I looked about 20 yards away and saw a boy who seemed no more than seven years old crouched with his hands resting in broken bottles. He didn't seem distressed, so I took my eyes off him.

I looked back in about a minute and noticed that he was being led away through a tunnel by another boy of about 10 years old. I followed and caught up with what now appeared to be a group of about five boys downstairs and on the outside of Sabina Park. The older boy claimed to be his brother and having assessed the situation decided that they should walk home. The littler boy was bleeding from what appeared to be wounds to the back of the fingers and it was most amazing none of the adults, including the security guard present, seemed to have noticed. It was evident the boys were there on their own.

I discouraged them from leaving but I felt rather helpless myself. I led them back inside and towards the Kingston Cricket Club where I spotted a parked ambulance and manage to locate a member of the ambulance crew in a room. She took charge of the situation and I left immediately to the North Stands with my son.

While I do agree that we need to keep the little ones close in order to have long-term ambitions for the game of cricket, we really must do more to protect our children. How can we allow unaccompanied minors to enter such venues? Who takes responsibility for them in the event they suffer such misfortunes? Who is there to protect them and prevent such things happening to them?

Care and protection needed

I think despite it being a free-to-the-public event, there should be measures in place to prevent children entering the venue if they are not accompanied by adults. Is it that we can only recognise children in go-go clubs and dances as being in need of care and protection? We need to have standards and the standards should aim for best practice rather than stopping at what is convenient. We hear every day that the children are our future and we need now to be more mindful of the things we do to secure that future. We need to be more vigilant and not let down our guard.

I am, etc.,

R. A THOMAS

roathoms@yahoo.co.uk