Response typical of our times

SIR - What a good story regarding courageous Andrew Rowley who tackled a man intending to steal his neighbour's car and held him until the police arrived (T&A, November 26).

The police response is now just typical of our times. They do not encourage vigilante behaviour but favour Neighbourhood Watch schemes to report crimes.

I believe the police don't do what Mr Rowley did because it's far too dangerous. That's why they aren't on the streets: they may come across individuals like he did.

What he should have done was ring the police, go outside and wave goodbye to the neighbour's car. Some time later the Pop team may have arrived and given him a crime reference number,

Two months ago I chased two would-be burglars. The police were told immediately that I was in pursuit and there would be "trouble" if I caught them. They just escaped me. Four hours later the police arrived. Can you imagine what I said to them? I used to be a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator!

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Long Lane, Bingley.

Call this charity?

SIR - How much of our council tax goes to the police and why? I was infuriated to receive a request for a donation to Crimestoppers Trust - "the only charity helping to solve crimes". What kind of idiotic society do we live in when a charity has to be set up to help stop crimes? I wonder how many chief constables and MPs donate to it?

P E Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley.

Lost generation

SIR - The report about the city's "lost" people (T&A, November 25) is very disturbing. The approach to the census appears to be extremely unusual. Apathy and ignorance are accepted as reasons for non-return of the forms. Deliberate fraud cannot be ruled out, however that aspect is glossed over.

An unreturned forms results in deletion of the name from the records and the property is deemed to be empty. No follow-up spot checks are mentioned.

The Office of National Statistics describes "trawling the streets" as a solution. Coun Ian Greenwood rightly queries this. Apparently the survey of Little Horton, West Bowl-ing and part of Manchester Road, covering 500 empty houses, reveal-ed that 250 of them were occupied.

If only one could feel that this very serious matter will be dealt with efficiently.

Mrs Edna Simpson, Manscombe Road, Allerton.

Man of repute

SIR - With regards to Dr Butler's letter criticising the "masterplan" for the city (Letters, November 26).

I agree with him about the "wonder plans" that have sailed over Bradford like flying pigs, but - and it's a big but - architect Will Alsop, unlike the inventor of the "Domes of Pleasure", is not a comparative unknown.

I understand him to have an international track record, not to be regarded lightly.

"Quick fix?" Twenty years is hardly "quick". As for the lake, being "shortly full of shopping trolleys and rats", it might be in Shipley but, as a Bradfordian of 76 years, I resent his implications.

Jack Mawson, Grove House Crescent, Bradford.

Valid protests

SIR - Malcolm Wood states that if he had time to demonstrate he would march against the slaughter of innocent civilians by Islamic terrorists (Letters, November 26).

I suggest that he and the other critics of those who opposed the war on Iraq cast the mote from their eyes and look beyond the declarations of George Bush, Ariel Sharon and Tony Blair. For these three are prepared to sacrifice the economies and blood of their own populations. Israel, America and Britain also aspire to commercial advantage from occupation and subjugation of Iraq and control of Iraq oil.

As an ex-soldier in the Middle East Land Forces, 1945-47, who has witnessed the ultimate in racial hatred, I am proud to assist in the peaceful protests of the "motley crew" referred to by A J Clark on the same day. Neither they or I were responsible for the deaths in Istanbul and those deaths should not be used to try and justify the continued oppression of Palestine and Iraq.

Dennis Edmondson, Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge.

Paying the penalty

SIR - Regarding capital punishment and Malcolm Wood's views (Letters, November 25).

I have in my possession 107 replies from the three last Prime Ministers, Thatcher, Major and Blair, all of which are attempting to show me how Britain has fared since the abolition.

I have been told that the Catholic Church does teach forgiveness for murder but not for consequent murders by same person.

I also have the list of prison tariffs set by the Home Secretary for murder, rape, child abuse, and so on. This does not make educated reading, as it implies that murder is punishable by 15 years' imprisonment. That is really quite laughable when you consider past atrocities.

We should reinstate the death penalty, thereby removing all the scum, and let our children be safe, along with our older people who have, no doubt, fought for their safety and security.

Let the people of Britain have a referendum on this subject, this is what we call democracy.

G A Woods, Longfield Drive, Dudley Hill.

Shared goals

SIR - Peter Meer, chairman of the Yorkshire & Humber Pensioners Convention, wants us at the Forum Focused on Pensioner Power to "sing from the same hymn sheet" (Letters, November 28).

We are, but apparently Mr Meer doesn't know the words.

After being invited to a meeting of the Pensioners Convention at Bradford City Hall I was turned away by Mr Meer himself, yet our Forum is affiliated to the National Pensioners Convention, of which the Y&HPC is the regional body.

I then invited him to a committee meeting three weeks ago, since he is a member of our Forum, and he failed to attend. I assume when he joined he read our policy statement which clearly states our aims and objectives.

We support the view that there should be Pensioner Parliaments throughout Britain, along with a multicultural base, that pensioners can enjoy and benefit from. Their services should be cultural, health-supporting, accessible, entertaining and provide all the necessary information and support that pensioners require.

Audrey Raistrick, Victoria Road, Bradford.

Wanton vandalism

SIR - Yet again, mindless idiots tarnish Bradford's name and reputation. My niece and her Australian fiance worked and saved for over a year in order to travel round Great Britain for three weeks. They visited Wales, Northern Ireland (including Belfast) and Scotland, with no trouble at all, concluding their stay with us in Bradford.

Guess what? In a wanton act of vandalism their car was broken into and rendered undrivable. To add insult to injury, the police informed my niece that they don't usually attend such "minor incidents". I am ashamed and angry and could only apologise. I'll bet that doesn't cut much ice the next time they talk to their families.

Mrs Sue Howland, Frensham Grove, Bradford.

Pop unjustified

SIR - Columnist David Barnett's disdain for ITV1's Pop Idol 2 (T&A, November 25) raises the question: Does he prefer Five, US and Australian imports, repeats or pop show clones featuring the same acts?

Simon Cowell is offering performers jobs and us light entertainment. Say what you like, David, but don't expect talent show contestants, like the glamorous Carolynne Good, to invite you round for mince pies this Christmas!

John C Taylor, Park Hill Drive, Bradford.

Help wanted

SIR - I am looking for any people who lived on or around the Netherlands Square, Low Moor, area between 1973 and 1993 who may be able to help us. We are a group trying to get a piece of land registered as a village green and would like people to come forward with information as to the use of the land in Netherlands Square between these dates. Even if you think it may be irrelevant, it may not be to us. Please forward any information or photographs.

S Mitchell, 2 Netherlands Square, Low Moor, Bradford, BD12 0TD.