SIR - In a T&A report (January 11) headlined "Three years jail for riot General", reference was made in Crown Court to the defendant becoming upset and angry because he witnessed an attack on an Asian female by white skinheads.

I would like to point out that detectives working on Operation Wheel, the investigation into the Bradford Riots, have interviewed more than 3,300 people, arrested and interviewed 166 people, and looked through thousands of hours of video and CCTV footage. No evidence has been found of such an attack occurring.

Indeed, the defendant himself made no reference to the incident in interviews with the police.

We are conducting this investigation with a clear, impartial and open mind. If such an incident did take place, we would wish to fully investigate it and bring the perpetrators to justice.

I would therefore urge anyone who witnessed, or who was the victim of, such an incident on Saturday, July 7, 2001 in Bradford, to come forward.

The investigation team can be contacted on 01274 376915, or if preferred, via our Urdu language line on 01274 376916.

Detective Inspector Chris Binns, Bradford South CID, West Yorkshire Police.

SIR - I could not believe my eyes when reading your headline "Three years in jail for riots 'General'."

Having previously read that a (presumably) "foot soldier" had been sent to jail for five years, it was a great surprise (received with dismay I might add). In my book, the higher the rank the greater the crime - basic military strategy when determining culpability for war "crimes".

Ten years it would not have been long enough. Until the magistrates and judges start clamping down hard then the slapped-wrist treatment will result in further disorders.

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke.

SIR - Andrew Bolt's letter (T&A, January 11) expressed his shock at the increase in the cost of his motor insurance due to the Bradford riots. But it is likely that the increase is not simply a result of two or three days of madness.

There seems to be a section of our society which believes it is above the law. Your paper reports daily on beatings, stabbings, cars stolen and burned out.

These vicious and wasteful delinquents are sustained by the half-baked theory that many of the acts are victimless crimes, and they are preserved by the notion among many of us that it is wrong to grass on offenders.

We have in Bradford too many anti-social and parasitic people and eventually we will have to recognise that it is "us against them".

Often the poorest among us are the victims, and the perpetrators known to neighbours; It isn't just the responsibility of the police and the courts, but society itself, which must say "no more".

Denis Spence, Mitchell Close, Idle, Bradford.

SIR - I'm writing in response to your front page of January 12 about the so-called riot at Ravenscliffe. While not condoning any violent action against the police on that night, I feel for some reason the truth is being covered up.

I live on the estate. On that night people on the estate were told that Asian youths were coming to the estate to fire houses and even fire Sainsburys.

As I said, I in no way support what happened that night, and in no way support the riot, but feel it could be this rumour, true or false, that caused the tension that night.

Peter Wood, Ranelagh Avenue, Ravenscliffe, Bradford.

SIR - We run a unique Helpline for people in need, their relatives or people who advise them. The Association of Charity Officers (ACO) is an umbrella body which represents a network of more than 200 charities which help individuals.

The ACO Helpline is a gateway for anybody seeking charitable help from benevolent funds. In the last year, most requests for help (nearly a third) come from people over the age of 64, but a twentieth come on behalf of children and young people under the age of 17. Health and disability are major factors in those seeking help.

Requests cover a wide area of need: top-up funds for home fees; mobility aids; accommodation; household items and clothes; funeral costs; course fees; caring costs; and general support.

If you need advice or help, please ring: 01707 651777. The line is open every weekday between 10am and 4pm.

Valerie Barow, Association of Charity Officers, Beechwood House, Wyllyotts Close, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 2HN.