Letters to the Editor

The Crime Prevention Officer (who, unlike Insp Cawthorne, actually visited the premises) suggested that there wasn't a problem with the lighting. In the past we have been advised to remove one light so that these thugs can't see what they are doing.

How dare he tell us that "it is not an ideal area for this kind of organisation". Will he tell the residents of Victoria Road and Nashville Road, who complained on Sunday night about the youths throwing fireworks, that they are not living in an ideal area?

Will he tell Ann Cryer that her office is not in an ideal area? Will he tell the businesses in Dalton Lane that they are not in an ideal area? And what will he tell the bowling team in Lund Park, Kiddicare, Branshaw and Holycroft Schools?

There shouldn't be any homes or businesses in Keighley that are "not in an ideal area". We do all we can to protect our property and ourselves. When we have done all we can, we have the right to expect the police to take over and do something, not to answer the phone and tell us they are too busy, or get more lights, or move.

Stephen Shorten, Transport Organiser, Keighley Community Transport, Holycroft Street, Keighley.

SIR - In Mr Firth's letter of October 17, he might sound quite scientific in his Newton explanation of the creation of the universe.

However, no matter how far you go back, you will always return to a simple truth which cannot be explained away, that is that all this "power and energy" must have initiated from somewhere and that somewhere is 'God'.

Furthermore, Mr Firth obviously feels intimidated by religion and the love of God and even quite afraid of people like the late Iman Khomeini (right), the most humble, pious and courageous man who died peacefully of old age safe in the knowledge that he had helped to establish a strong Islamic republic of which the people of Iran can feel proud.

Mrs B Hafid, Bradford Road, Bradford 4.

SIR - Who does Z Jabeen think he is (Letters, October 17)? Does he think we should have taken the attacks on New York and Washington and done nothing?

If he is so anti-West, he should be given all the help necessary to get out of here. However, in Pakistan he would not have the freedom of speech, and would not be able to "mouth off" like he does here.

He and others who think like him should stop biting the hand that feeds them. They are a bunch of "back stabbers".

Colin McLean, Kensington Street, Girlington.

SIR - With reference to letters from J Wilks, Derek Wright and Geoffrey Holmes (October 8): with due respect to Mr Holmes, I am a woman, not a man.

I don't agree with them if they are telling me that America went to Panama, the Middle East, etc. bombed the Sudan and Afghanistan a couple of years ago and has been bombing Iraq without any reason or provocation for years "to save lives".

America is interested in only one thing and that is its own interest, and it will go to any length to pursue it regardless of international rules, regulations or laws.

I did not mention religion, but since they did I must say that Islamophobia is flourishing. America arrives everywhere promptly where Muslims have the upper hand. However, it is too blind to see the atrocities committed by its allies/friends against Muslims, eg Israel, India etc.

Regarding the letter from L S Lee (October 2) I don't support terrorism by individuals, groups or countries.

Mubarik Iqbal, Oulton Terrace, Bradford 7.

SIR- I read with absolute horror that two more patients from Airedale Hospital have been killed on the nearby Steeton railway crossing. This comes one month after another patient died at the same spot.

The comments from the hospital at that time suggested a lack of security. Their latest statement amounts to an acknowledgement of slack management procedure and I trust that a Government inquiry will begin as soon as possible.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the relatives of these patients who obviously believed they were in safe hands.

My deepest sympathies also go to the poor train drivers.

Nick Farmer, Tylers Green, Cuckfield, West Sussex.

SIR - There is no justice in this world.

I live in a bungalow. At the end of my garden is a garage. To get out on to the street, I have to pass it.

This garage is in a residential area which consists of families and old people.

I have had oil fumes coming into my bungalow and on one occasion one of my sons was nearly knocked down.

The garage owners applied for an extension which will completely block my view. You won't be able to see my bungalow.

I got a petition signed by local residents against it. The decision went to a planning panel where I was allowed to express my opinion. So was the garage owner. Nobody, heard my voice.

Do I exist? What about my standard of life?

I would like a second opinion. Also I would like the area planning panel in Jacobs Well investigated. Nobody listened to me.

The extension will tower over my bungalow. My life will be a nightmare. Noises come from the garage late at night.

M Hussain, Washington Street, Bradford 8.

SIR - After all the doom and gloom of the recent months - rioting, racial tension, shootings, etc. - it seems there is at last one thing of which this "exile" and his fellow Bradfordians can be proud. Bradford has more public toilets per head of population than any other authority in the country (T&A, October 23)!

On hearing this one piece of good news, I reckon those responsible for the wholesale destruction of Bradford city centre's shopping and leisure facilities must be relieved. (Does someone get paid to come up with these statistics?)

James Gibson, Otago Street, Glasgow.

SIR - So once again we have to tolerate the sound of fireworks being let off. This is now all the year round.

Why can't they be made without bangs as there is quite an amount of colour in them when set off?

But that wouldn't do for the hooligans who put them through letter boxes.

I had three of those last year, also a blind lady had the same. They love to frighten the elderly and animals.

D Burnett, Great Horton Road, Great Horton.