Middlesbrough is reeling. The good people have had enough, we need to punish those scumbags

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Former mayor Andy Preston has has the final word on a 'horrific' week of violence in the town

We've had a knife attack, a house fire being treated as murder and several houses rammed by vehicles.

Police have made more than 24 arrests for suspected offences including firearms, drugs and organised crime. Two hundred officers from other forces have been drafted in.

I've spent the week being bombarded with messages from residents and calls from the media. And I've tried to say the same thing again and again: this didn't suddenly start last weekend.

Not just in Middlesbrough either. Everywhere with a serious drugs problem has exactly the same problems brewing. For God's sake, pressure your police to stamp it out before it erupts.

Harsh violence and intimidation around drugs happens every day. Most of it never makes the news because the victims are often criminals themselves

I spent four years as elected Mayor of Middlesbrough and many more working with charities in some of its poorest communities. I know these streets and I know the people.

Almost all are decent. They work hard, they raise families and they look out for each other.

But among them is a criminal underclass that's ruining neighbourhoods and making decent people's lives hell.

These are the low-level dealers, prolific offenders and thugs. They're mainly young men drawn towards gangs because it can bring easy status and excitement. It's certainly easier than getting up on time every morning and doing something useful.

We've sat back and allowed this culture to grow. We've even made apologies and excuses for their crimes.

We talk about deprivation and poor housing as being the causes of criminal mayhem.

Obviously that's total bollocks and those politicians, both local and national, who say these are the true cause of the sickening and deplorable scenes we’ve seen over the past week need to be held to account for the blatant lies they spread.

Millions struggle financially but don't deal drugs or stab people.

Of course it's a good idea to support offenders to build a better life - that would help all of us.

But we get everything the wrong way round and we try to be kind and understanding first. No. We should punish them first. And then work on making them better citizens.

These people need to know that there will be rapid consequences for their actions. And the good people need to know that the scumbags who deal, stab and thieve will be arrested quickly.

If you're dealing drugs, the police should be coming for you. Carry a weapon and you should be looking at prison. Terrorise your neighbours and the authorities should be doing everything they can to get you out of that community.

Worklessness plays a role here but benefits don't create criminals. Everybody needs to work, it's good for them and society. If they can't find a job then they must clean the streets and parks under supervision.

Everyone must contribute in some way. Keeping people busy keeps them out of trouble.

Middlesbrough does need more police, faster justice and more national prison places but I suspect that these things will take ages.

The first thing we must do is get everyone busy, contributing to society in some way.