They'll be tearing their hair out...

SIR - Bradford makes the national media headlines once again, and for all the wrong reasons as usual!

Once again we look on with horror as our glorious citizens rampage through the streets and the Asian community complains about the lack of police activity.

During incidents of civil disorder, looting, and vandalism over the last five years, I cannot recall one report of prosecutions and jailing.

Why should this latest incident be treated any differently? The police would be accused of favouritism and that would be racist, wouldn't it?

OK, so the scum concerned were cowardly thugs who attacked several lone women, seriously injuring one of them, but that is par for the course these days, isn't it, and seems to be accepted as normal in Bradford.

As the letters in the T&A from overseas state - what hope is there for Bradford now?

Our highly-paid city centre regeneration guru, our vanished publicity officer and Sir Herman Ouseley must be tearing their hair out in dismay!

M Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

Apology needed

SIR - Yet again the people of Bradford have suffered violence without the protection of the police.

How big a picture do West Yorkshire police need? People are being attacked with baseball bats. When did we ever see a game of baseball in our parks and playing fields? Who is supplying these weapons?

Chief Superintendent Sunderland should apologise to the injured motorists for not mobilising his men fast enough!

There is one hell of a lack of confidence in the police. Villains know they will have at least an hour to do their worst before the police arrive.

Richard McDonald, Ogden Lane, Denholme

Race relations

SIR - I wonder if I am alone in thinking that no race relations problem is so desperate that it cannot be made infinitely worse by the interference of Sir Herman Ouseley?

Gordon Pilgrim, Carrbottom Road, Bankfoot.

Attack shame

SIR - I would like to offer my sympathies to Mr Lastowiecki for the attacks on the Ukrainian Club.

Many "displaced persons" came to Bradford after the Second World War. They have built themselves a respected place in Bradford society by their hard work and independence.

R G Stephens, Duchywood, Heaton.

The weakest link

SIR - Re Mike Stocks's letter (April 12). He fails to take note of the points your letter writers make.

For the benefit of tenants (and Mike Stocks), I will make one more point. The directors of the Shadow Board of the supposed "not private company" have already been selected from tenants groups including the federation, and training is offered to members of these groups. I notice the training is not offered to all tenants and I have not seen notices encouraging tenant "Joe Bloggs" to stand.

Mike Stocks is so enveloped in his own glorification, he fails to notice the points raised in your letters column.

He leaves me no option but to declare "Mike Stocks and Royds, you are the weakest link. Goodbye."

H Clough (Carwood Rep), Copgrove Road, Bradford 4.

Don't be greedy

SIR - So the greedy teachers are at it again, wanting 35 hours and ten per cent pay rise.

Why do these people think other people, ie ratepayers, should pay this rise? Do they think they are a special case?

It is not as if they don't get good pay and holidays. If they do not like teaching, let them get another job and see how the other half go on for pay and holidays.

Either get on with it or get out of it and stop moaning.

Michael Breen, Bolton Hall Road, Wrose.

The human cost

SIR - I have followed with interest recent letters regarding privatisation of council housing. It must be seen, however, as part of a general move towards a big sell-off of all our public services under this Labour Government.

I work as a junior doctor. In my opinion, very few members of the public understand the implications of Private Finance Initiatives in the NHS.

We have already witnessed what privatisation has done for the railways. How much greater will the human cost be if this happens in the NHS?

I have been disappointed that there seems to be no one voicing these fears in the main political parties. It was to my relief on a recent trip to Bradford I spoke with some people at the Socialist Alliance stall in the city centre and learned that there are candidates standing in the general election (including in Bradford) and that anti-privatisation is at the centre of their campaign.

I am encouraged that there are people taking up these issues and that this makes ordinary people more aware of what is going on in their communities.

Dr Karen Lindsay, Ash Grove, Headingley.

Friendly staff

SIR - As one who was fortunate enough to have lived in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave so long ago it was even before it was compulsory to have a nice day, I'm getting a few alarm bells as I approach ASDA's.

The store is now, we're told, "part of the Walmart family" whose workers are "colleagues" it seems.

Most intriguing was the well-signposted price of three packets of seeds for 96p. Guess how much one packet was? You got it - 32p!

But to be fair the store still offers Yorkshire at its best. No, not the frozen-pudding but the warm and friendly Jeanette, Sue, Rhonda and the rest of the excellent staff who are a credit to the work force and a pleasure to see.

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.