KAYE Townsend is a qualified, BACP registered, person-centred counsellor with a private practice in Flackwell Heath, Bucks. She is currently writing a self-help book, write articles for various publications & work as a volunteer counsellor for a local charity.

Here she answers letters in her Bucks Free Press agony aunt column. To contact her, email kayebt@sky.com

Dear Kaye,

The police have raided my house twice now although they didn’t find anything, they say my son is involved with another man who they believe has committed several burglaries.

I’m a school teacher & this type of thing will surely affect my job, my reputation is at stake. If the children ever find out I will lose their respect & the respect of my colleagues. My neighbours already have started avoiding speaking to me, I wish they would just ask what’s happening so I can explain my situation.

My son meanwhile, swears he has not done anything, he just hangs around with the wrong people, so of course he is guilty by association.

Francis, 38, Totteridge.

Dear Francis,

You sound more upset about the neighbours than your son being in trouble with the police. Try to concentrate on guiding your son in a better direction and leave your judgmental neighbours to assume they know better.

This could happen to them one day!

Best wishes,

Kaye.