Proof that crime really does pay

SIR - On the day my council tax bill dropped through my letterbox, stating, among other things an increase of 14.9 per cent in my contribution to the West Yorkshire Police Authority, how ironic it was I found myself in contact with them some ten hours later.

I was reporting an incident in which a "runaway horse" was in a collision with my car.

The response I got was shocking to say the least. To quote the officers "Well, to be blunt, you don't have a leg to stand on in trying to find the owner of the horse."

Basically I was on my own and would have to use my own insurance to pay for any damage.

Surely there is something that can, and needs to be done, especially as the West Yorkshire Police are about to get an extra 14.9 per cent out of me?

I asked: 'If I had killed the horse and the owner was present at the incident, would I be looking at being sued?' to which he replied 'More than likely'.

I find it very alarming that those who have no regard for the laws are continually "let off" with crimes against law-biding citizens and allowed to commit offence after offence.

So I ask whoever makes the rules for this great nation of ours, to start thinking about your law-abiding people because before you know it, more and more fair-minded people will join the ever-increasing mob of thieves, muggers, rapists etc, because at present crime definitely does pay!

Brian Keough, Cutler Heights Lane, Dudley Hill.

Answers, please

Sir - The saga over Bradford Festival does, I believe, require a few more answers than have been given thus far.

As a long-time supporter of a Community Festival for all communities in Bradford, I would want us to restore back to the community what I feel we had lost in recent years - a festival that engages with and touches all communities, and is not a commercialised business fair.

I fell foul two years ago, when I found there was precious little for my children at the festival, in dramatic contrast to previous years and my criticism was ignored.

I also note the huge loss of involvement of the community and voluntary sector, which if cohesion really is the Bradford agenda, strikes me as a real issue.

Let's have all our parks like Wibsey Park involved.

Someone has made a lot of money out of this ill-fated venture. I want to know whom and how much, as it seems local debts are being left behind.

Ralph Berry, Leyburn Grove, Shipley.

Shop memories

SIR - Do any of your readers remember Roberts furniture shop which, I understand, was situated either in Bradford City centre or in Manningham Lane and ceased business possibly in the 1950s?

I believe that the owner's name was either George Roberts or Arnold Roberts and they were both nephews of a Charles Roberts who owned a foundry and engineering works at Horbury Junction.

Any information regarding this shop and indeed the Roberts families would be greatly appreciated for the purpose of compiling genealogical records for the Roberts, Oldroyd and Stringer families.

Patricia Ann Beckwith, Swifts View, 90 Middleton Park Row, Leeds, LS10 3SA.

The real mystery

SIR - Re: Mystery at West Bowling (Richard Wightman, Bradford Chamber of Commerce, T&A, March 15).

The real mystery is why the true facts cannot be reported! The original planning application was rejected and then overturned by a Liberal Democrat deal.

The proposed development is not only for a B&Q but also a hotel and housing, representing 25 per cent of the site - all of which is outside the Unitary Development plan and Government guidelines.

B&Q already have a store on the Euroway estate which will close. A site was on offer on Canal Road, perhaps Mr Wightman has forgotten that the Chamber of Commerce were against this development and are supporting the regeneration of the city centre.

Any developer who does not provide the well-documented information required for a public inquiry should not complain when it is postponed.

Many units on the Euroway, Rooley Lane and the Staygate roundabout estate are empty. Perhaps Mr Wightman should go and look!

Regenerate the city centre and Odsal. Return West Bowling Golf Club back to the much-needed green belt.

David Robinson, Greenacre Drive, Wyke.

No such plans

SIR - Readers may have been alarmed by the Green Party's assertion (T&A, March 22) that there are plans to build an industrial estate on Bingley South Bog.

They need not be as there are no such plans for two reasons. Firstly it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and, secondly, there would be about 150 feet of deep mud/peat to overcome.

I assume Quentin Deakin was referring to Dowley Gap. This site was put in the current UDP by Quentin's old party, the Labour Party, in the 1990s so can hardly be said to be following in the tracks of the new A650.

The Highways Agency is aware of the traffic problems in the area and it was their intervention that caused Shipley Planning Panel to defer consideration of this application until last week.

At last week's Planning Panel the decision was deferred again for three issues to be fully explored:

1. Traffic density on Wagon Lane and Dowley Gap particularly with regard to Beckfoot School;

2. Whether an environmental survey is required;

3. 24-hour working on site.

Coun Robin Owens, Chair Shipley Planning Panel, Moor Edge, Harden.

Uncaring Chris

SIR I note from an article in the T&A (March 13) that the MP for Shipley Chris Leslie (Courts Minister) is proposing unpaid fines will be able to be collected direct from State Benefits. Shame on him!

The State Benefits are abysmally low, the Government states that the money paid is the lowest amount required to live on. Yet Mr Leslie (pictured) proposes to take money from the poorest in our society before they even get it.

MPs ought to try living on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance or even less if those who are on it are to have direct deductions from their benefits.

I have no problem with fines being collected by whatever means from those who won't pay, but from those who cannot pay it is a totally different problem.

Mr Leslie should come back down to grass roots level and speak to those who voted for him. I voted for him in part because I thought a Labour MP would be a caring MP. But looking at his fines bill and his comments on the Shipley/Saltaire traffic problem shows he has political advancement and not his constituents at heart.

Richard Bickerdike, Springhurst Road, Shipley

A serious issue

SIR - In accusing Mike Priestley of unfair criticism of Beverley Hughes (T&A Letters, March 20), Brian Holman ignores certain things.

Firstly, Ms Hughes wasn't able to deny that Steven Moxon had attempted to bring the facts to her notice without resorting to public whistle-blowing.

Secondly, the issue of asylum seekers is far too serious an issue to some of us to be fast-tracked by some bureaucrat.

I seem to recollect the time when it was considered that our country could maintain 30 million people. The official last census population count was just less than 57 million.

If Mr Holman is right about Government responsibility, why do we bother electing them at all?

T Hill, Harbour Crescent, Bradford.