Letters to the Editor

SIR - It seems there is no end to the catalogue of incomprehensible nonsense expressed by those in charge of our law and order.

In the case of Aimee Wellock, Lord Justice Dyson states (T&A, January 27): "But for the affray, Aimee would not have died when she did. But that is not sufficient to make them (the perpetrators) guilty of manslaughter."

If three people attacking an innocent bystander who then dies while trying to escape from them is not manslaughter, then what has to happen before this judge is convinced?

Time after time these privileged individuals show leniency to the criminal while ignoring the horror that the victim and their families are forced to endure.

Then we have Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair saying he cannot understand the fuss made over the murder of two little schoolgirls in Soham and that it is institutionally racist to make that fuss.

That statement beggars belief and, to ensure the return to sensible policing, Ian Blair, who is more concerned with political correctness than catching criminals, should be looking for another job.

Malcolm Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram

Words fail me...

SIR - Two articles this week have finally convinced me that the judiciary of Britain has lost the plot.

Firstly, I read of a man, up before magistrates on numerous charges (including failing to surrender to bail) being given bail.

Later in the week a judge decided that because the people who attacked a young girl, causing her death, could not have known about her condition therefore they could not have been guilty of manslaughter. Words fail me.

From a personal point of view, being disabled but showing no outward signs, are these judges saying I'm fair game like that poor unfortunate girl?

No matter who we the public vote for, the judiciary in all its wisdom (like the computer in "Little Britain") can always say, No!

Ask Michael Howard when he, as Home Secretary, tried to put tariffs on those found guilty of the Jamie Bulger murders.

M A Booth, Moorcroft Drive, Tong Street, Bradford

The best solution?

SIR - In response to the three points raised by J A Tidd (T&A, January 12), firstly, all of the Keighley area and about half of Shipley are already served by parish or town councils, with Harden the most recently added.

Bradford South area is now actively exploring the potential for such arrangements, previously confined to the western moors and marches populated by lost sheep and Tories.

Secondly, area committees are acquiring through Local Area Management limited extra powers which have been generally welcomed.

However, the very existence of the district in its present configuration disallows the possibility of really local government to the communities of Keighley, Ilkley, Bingley and Shipley, ie the two areas/constituencies outside Bradford proper.

I have yet to meet a Keighleyan who does not regret the merger (takeover). If Airedale warrants a masterplan, would it not be still better off with its own district council?

The main resistance would doubtless come from the governing party which draws its majority and the entire executive from those western rural wards.

Is this the best solution, given the district's many imbalances?

Coun James Lewthwaite, (BNP, Wyke), City Hall, Bradford

Name your hero

SIR - As Patron of Help the Aged Living Legends awards ceremony, I am delighted to support such a worthwhile awards scheme and I urge readers to nominate their very own 'Living Legend'.

Help the Aged Living Legends is an annual event which recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of older individuals as well as acknowledging the contributions made by other generations, groups and organisations in making a real difference to the lives of older people throughout the UK.

Categories include Local Hero, Achievement in Sport, Campaigner of the Year and Business for Age, Research into Ageing and Helping Unite Generations, which is an intergenerational schools award. The Living Legend stars will be invited to Windsor Castle on May 3, 2006, by Her Majesty the Queen, who will attend the event.

Visit the Help the Aged website (www.helptheaged.org.uk/legends) to nominate your unsung hero or call the awards hotline 0207 239 1922 to obtain a form. The deadline is Tuesday, February 28, 2006.

Cherie Booth QC, Patron of Living Legends, Help the Aged, Pentonville Road, London

Park presence

SIR - Research in 32 towns and cities in August 2005 for the Royal Horticultural Society concluded that residents wanted councils to do more to improve their parks.

One big step that improves parks for the number of people using them is having a permanent uniformed presence there.

The Bradford Park Ranger Service does its best to reduce anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime, but it is not seen in places like Peel Park for long enough to provide reassurance.

What is needed is a permanent presence. In September 2005 Julia Thrift of CABE space said: "We urgently need a new park force to ensure that our parks are maintained as vibrant parts of our urban communities.

"We want a return to old-fashioned public service values delivered by a new multi-skilled 21st century workforce."

Some councils have used best value rules to restore park staff, the cost being balanced against reduced damage and vandalism, and more people visiting parks.

Now is the time for Bradford Council to trial a scheme like this in the largest of Bradford's parks, Peel Park.

Councillor David Gray (Lib-Dem, Bolton & Undercliffe), Highfield Road, Bradford

Change needed

SIR - What a dilemma we are in trying to get the best results from our elected representatives.

Here we have the Conservative Party who wish to get us out of the EU, very good, but who wish to contest the hunting with dogs law passed recently - this will lose them their chance at election time.

Then there is the Labour Party who won't allow the electorate to have a referendum on getting us out of the EU, and they are spending the taxpayers' money on anybody but the people who's money it is.

Then there are the Lib-Dems who have let their leader go, but they haven't got any positive enthusiasm in any required shape or form.

I do believe we need a new party, one who will bring back capital punishment, get us out of the EU, and stop immigration.

You cannot keep bringing people into a country that has already got a million illegal immigrants and has an acute shortage of housing.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford

Uncivilised USA

SIR - Once again those so-called super-power Americans have shown how uncivilised they really are.

They have recently executed a 70-year-old man, a man whom they brought back from a life-threatening heart attack only to throw back into prison so they could execute him.

The man was nearly blind and deaf, so what possible harm could he be to anyone?

Where is the compassion and humanity that you would expect from a great country?

But America is not a great country, it is made up of weak leaders who live up to and really believe their Hollywood lies.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe