Sir - Driving into Bingley on Sunday afternoon I was virtually forced off the road by a police motorcyclist to allow a large motorcade to drive past at high speed. I wondered which dignitary was aboard, until one of my younger passengers identified the young man in the main vehicle as Gareth Gates, who had been performing in Myrtle Park.

However I was puzzled by the large police presence (no fewer than four motorcycle outriders and a police car bringing up the rear).

I don't believe his safety was an issue, as his fans (whom we soon met in Bingley) seemed delighted with his performance. Maybe he had an urgent appointment or a flight to catch. More probably he simply wanted to avoid a traffic jam.

But all these considerations have one thing in common: they are Gareth's problem, not West Yorkshire Police's.

I don't know whether his police handlers were happy escorting a teenage popstar around the countryside (the Sunday overtime was probably welcome), but I'm sure most of us feel that the police should be preventing crime and catching criminals, not operating as a private security firm.

Alex Leach, Clifton Place, Shipley.

SIR - I'm sure I'm not on my own when I say that I am sick to the teeth of seeing Gareth Gates (right) mentioned in your paper every single night. There are literally dozens of musicians, bands and artists of all types that are much more worthy of a mention and on our own doorstep.

Can someone please tell me why one person who in my mind is nothing more than a glorified Karaoke singer, receives much more coverage than people whohave worked hard, writing their own quality material for years in this city?

I personally blame lazy journalism. I'm sure it's much easier to make a single phone call to find out what Gareth had for breakfast than to get out there and find more worthwhile local talent to promote.

Alec Marlow, Idle Road, Bradford BD2

l Features Editor David Barnett replies: "While Gareth does receive a lot of coverage because he is a high-profile performer who is a good ambassador for Bradford, it should be noted that every Friday in the T&A's entertainments section there is a whole page devoted to local musical talent."

SIR - I read in your newspaper of August 29 an account of the appalling conditions the people of Bankfoot are having to deal with.

While we applaud the way the residents are dealing with the situation, doesn't it beg the question: What are the authorities doing to allow this to continue?

It also beggars belief that their MP Gerry Sutcliffe says they have to band together. And then what? What does he think they've been doing? What does he think his role should be? Just to offer platitudes?

What, one might ask, is the police's role in this disgusting state of affairs when children are allowed to abuse a community. If we had police in evidence on our streets, to whom residents could refer without ringing numbers which receive an answerphone, we might be able to eliminate a lot of problems, both there and everywhere else.

We welcome the elderly in the area to join our Forum, so that together we can avoid a repetition of this dreadful state of affairs.

Audrey Raistrick, secretary, Retired People's Action Forum, 44 Oakdale Drive, Bradford, BD10 0JF.

SIR - Capital of Culture? Bradford Council could do with putting more time and effort into something a bit more worthwhile - like educating youths on road safety!

While driving along Duckworth Lane one tea-time, two youths stepped out to cross the road, clearly not looking, in front of my car.

I politely sounded my horn to remind them I was there, while one of the youths returned this gesture by kicking the side of my car.

This is not the first and I am sure it will not be the last incident I encounter of this kind.

If violence and ignorance is all the youths of this city - our future - have to offer, then I will certainly not be aiding the Capital of Culture bid.

V Cowling, Oak Hall Park, Thornton, Bradford.

SIR - Bradford schools have again been wantonly vandalised during the summer. And, not for the first time, a Bradford estate is told by its "youths" (if 12-year-olds deserve such a title) that it is they who run the place, and residents must pay cash not to have their cars trashed, windows smashed, lives ruined.

But pity the poor police. The responsible hoodlums cunningly parade only in the early hours, shouting "whose windows shall we smash next?" This clearly low-profile enemy must be harder to detect than a 1950s Russian spy.

But, hey, none of this matters, not when our "youths" are attaining "A" passes at unprecedented rates, and their teachers are being certified clean of criminal records, hence fit to teach such gems.

And meanwhile, posters all over town proclaim our bid to be the 2008 Capital of Culture, and Gareth Gates, no less, is backing our bid. I rest my case.

I G Mullinder, Stockhill Road, Greengates.

SIR - I was interested to read your article regarding the launch of the new trust, looking after the needs of the mentally ill in the district. Somehow I get the feeling we've been here before. Remember 1986, under the care of Doctor Baker, when Bradford became the first NHS Trust in England? In the following years we saw trusts springing up and then merging, followed by better/worse health care provision in different areas.

We were told at the time it was a breakthrough in care provision. What has been the result? More changes from NHS to NHS Trust to PCG. With all this change and different management style, the basics have been left behind.

Will something similar now happen to the mental health services? The services are there to care for those in need. Why do the management want to introduce different styles, probably at a massive cost, only to be changed again a few years later when it's deemed out of date or not cost effective?

I hope I'm proved wrong, but doubt I will be.

A C Clark, Porters Avenue, Dagenham, Essex.

SIR - I had the considerable displeasure of witnessing an act of great cruelty on a visit to a popular fishing spot near your office on Saturday.

A group of people were engaged in a fishing contest. I could not believe that this hideous and grotesquely cruel practice is still permitted under British Law.

The poor fish were being dragged through the water with an evil barbed hook in their mouth and then having their cold-blooded flesh scalded by being handled by warm-blooded anglers.

These poor creatures were left crammed suffocating in a net until the end of the competition, when they were again manhandled for weighing.

Now that we have banned hunting with dogs in this country, I am sure that we must ban this evil practice as soon as possible.

Please tell your readers that if they ever see this evil practice they are to approach the anglers and tell them to stop.

I shall be returning to your area at the end of the month and looking for people who will support a ban on fishing.

Theresa Thom, James Street, London W1M

SIR - My 18-year-old son Dan is currently training for the gruelling Boston (UK) Rowing Marathon, 31 miles in total. He is raising funds for Leukaemia Research as his best friend's father died of the disease earlier this year.

I completed the marathon last year raising funds for the Sue Ryder Hospice at Oxenhope and it really helps when you know that your efforts are helping such a worthy cause.

If anybody is interested in sponsoring Dan, please call him on 07811007029. If there are any companies interested in sponsoring him, their logo could be attached to his boat.

Carol Singleton, Wibsey Park Avenue, Wibsey, Bradford BD6