Letters to the Editor

SIR - I should imagine most council taxpayers will have sympathy for Richard North being sent to prison for failing to pay the 'police expense' part of the council tax bill (T&A, July 3).

Apart from anything else, where is the justice when one reads of people committing crimes like burglary, violent assault and dangerous driving escaping prison because of lack of space in prisons? Perhaps the establishment doesn't like to hear the truth about the ineffective policing in this country.

Mr North, like many other people, has suffered numerous criminal acts with scant assistance or sympathy from the police. Low-life yobboes simply laugh at them.

However, the aforementioned would get untold police resources thrown at them in their defence if they were the victims of vigilante retaliation.

The Criminal Justice Act, the Home Secretary and the police do not serve the British public. They prefer to suck up to the convenient Human Rights Act that in effect protects villains' rights, and ignores the victims.

As for Mr North's unjust prison sentence - what about sending the perennial non-council taxpayers to prison who owe the good people of Bradford millions of pounds?

Ivan Sadiwink, Southlands Road, Riddlesden, Keighley.

Prison the answer

Sir - My contempt for this Government is only exceeded by my utter contempt for the judiciary.

The recent story (T&A, June 30) regarding the young man who was savagely attacked by another man, leaving him with scars for life on his face was disgraceful.

The judge should have sent this man to jail for five years, but he only got community service hours.

If this innocent man had been attacked by a dog, the animal would already have been put down for being 'dangerous'.

No wonders this lad's mother had a look of devastation and grief on her face, due to this utterly appalling lack of justice.

The time has gone, and particularly since 1997, when the citizens of this country could look to its former great institutions to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect.

I see the dirty hand of this Government again, tweaking the judge because of the jail population situation.

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Harden

Parking is illegal

Sir - With reference to the illegal parking in Oak Lane (T&A, July 1), I have written to the police several times about this, asking why fines are issued to those who park on pavements in some areas of Bradford, while in other areas, such as Oak Lane, drivers are allowed to park on pavements, blocking pedestrians and posing a hazard.

The response I received was that these matters are dealt with on a 'case-by-case' basis.

As this seemed like discrimination based on the area one happened to live in, I again asked why this situation was allowed to happen specifically in Oak Lane. The response was the same - it is dealt with on a 'case-by-case' basis.

Perhaps the police could explain this inconsistent policy. Are all drivers allowed to park on pavements in all areas of Bradford, or is this illegal?

If it's the latter, I'd be happy to show the police instances of illegal parking all across Oak Lane in case they have failed to notice it.

Alternatively, they could look out of the window from the police station facing down Oak Lane for the evidence needed.

G Stevens, White Abbey Road, Bradford

Help beat a killer

Sir - Some of your readers may have an old mobile phone or printer cartridge tucked away in a drawer at home or at work. What they may not realise is that their unwanted items can benefit the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Old mobiles and empty printer cartridges can be recycled and the proceeds used to help fund vital research into the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer as well as providing support for sufferers and their families.

With 38,000 new cases of lung cancer being diagnosed each year and 80 per cent of those diagnosed not surviving longer than 12 months, lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in the UK.

But that's not all. Recycling is environmentally friendly too, so you can help the Earth and support a very worthwhile cause too!

Help us continue our vital work with lung cancer sufferers and their families by donating old printer cartridges and mobile phones. For details just call 08712 505050, visit our website www.recyclingappeal.com/roycastle or simply post your unwanted items to: Roy Castle Recycling Appeal (EL), 31-37 Etna Road, Falkirk FK2 9EG

Janine Drew, Fundraising Manager, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, London Road, Liverpool

Wards concern

Sir - I wish to raise concerns in the proposed reorganisation of wards by area committee, this being moving Windhill and Wrose wards into Bradford North ward.

Windhill and Wrose wards have always been part of Shipley and the proposal to make these areas part of Bradford is beyond belief.

We feel, as most constituents do, that a move of this nature would be seen as a degeneration of our parish and its services and amenities.

There is also a possibility that insurance premiums may be raised significantly and also the political structure could well be affected to our disadvantage.

This is by no means an issue of number crunching and will not be accepted as such. This is about people who are and always will be proud of belonging to Shipley.

In order to strengthen my objection to this move any resident of the Windhill and Wrose Parish should write to me at the address below.

Councillor Trevor Williams-Berry, Vice-Chairman, Wrose Parish Council, 15 Bredon Avenue, Wrose, Shipley BD18 1LU

Through rail hint?

SIR - It was interesting to read (T&A, July 1) under the heading "School firm to run rail network" that the successful bidder will be involved in "most commuter services operating from Central Bradford and Forster Square stations."

Does this mean that we are to have the long-awaited through line, presumably including a new "Bradford Central" station, and that Bradford Council has at last seen the sense in protecting the through rail corridor between the two current stations instead of its usual short-term thinking?

Unfortunately, I suspect that your reporter awoke from his dream after his copy had been printed?

R S Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.

Misguided owners

SIR - Once again all the rescue centres are full of unwanted puppies and kittens and cats, all because people believe their pet should have one litter or in most cases several before they seek help.

The numbers of people who say friends, neighbours or relatives have let them down by giving backword on promised homes are getting more and more.

Why don't people contact us or the RSPCA for help with neutering?

It's time Bradford Council stopped ignoring the problem and took a firm stand on pet shops selling kittens/puppies, the people responsible for causing the epidemic of unwanted un-neutered cats and dogs.

If any readers need help ring Jenny (01274) 487546 or Jane (01274) 682326.

Jenny Sampson, Rossmore Drive, Allerton.