SIR - Sal Lal (T&A, January 31) is way out of touch with reality if he thinks that Judge Gillick will be the only person disappointed with the rioters' reduced sentences.

This Muslim writer is disappointed, as are many other Muslims of integrity living in Bradford. I should imagine that most of the indigenous population will be truly horrified.

It's about time these rioting yobs were man enough to accept their punishment, and also realise that behaviour like that in Pakistan could have resulted in them being summarily executed.

The weeping women relatives should shed a few tears for the victims too, and concentrate on shielding other young men in the family from the moronic Gangsta Rap attitude that taints this generation.

Respect, decency and an early adherence to the true Islamic teaching would quell all thoughts of thuggery on the streets.

It's the families that maketh the man.

M Zafar, Fairbank Road, Bradford 8.

SIR - The Bradford Rioters' families say the convicted were harshly done to for maybe throwing a brick. Does it matter? Brick or petrol bombs, they were there doing the damage.

What is harsh is that the people of Bradford, of all creeds and colours who had nothing to do with the riots, are now paying for the damage. Yes, they pay their price but we will pay forever via the rates.

Michael McGann, Broomcroft, Clayton.

SIR - David Asher (T&A, January 24) is to be commended for his determination to seek a conviction against a 14-year-old burglar and to apprehend him, despite a hail of bricks and stones by two other youths seeking the release of their erstwhile "toe rag" colleague.

Mr Asher got it dead right when he stated that "you have to stand up for yourself."

Too often these days teenage tearaways think that they can flaunt the law with impunity, either because of actions of "do-gooders", lax parental control, soft judiciary, and a shortage of bobbies on the beat.

If there were more of Mr Asher's ilk, perhaps, we would see a reduction in the many crimes and offences that abound.

Donald Firth, Harrogate Street, Undercliffe.

SIR - Considering all the many problems due to bullying in most schools today, I was rather surprised to read that Grange Hill is being brought back on TV.

To quote the boy playing the school bully: "It sounds nasty, but it is quite good fun picking on people."

Is that really the message we should be sending out to our youngsters today - that bullying is just good fun? I doubt if those suffering bullying in real life will agree.

One can only hope there is no increase in bullying following this programme.

When it was first screened I believe the cane was available so that bullies could be given a taste of their own medicine.

M Cook, Hall Bank Drive, Bingley.

SIR - Once again Mike Priestley has really got to the heart of the matter, this time about City Hall (T&A, January 25).

All of our councillors (and people drawing high salaries for doing whatever) should be given a copy of this item with the words "Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" emphasised at the top.

The latest grandiose scheme last week for the desecration of the City Hall was beyond belief, and it was only to last 25 years! A lot of problems could have been solved by leaving Provincial House (not a bad-looking building) standing, and moving and enlarging the Central Library, putting it there.

There would also have been ample room in the building for a theatre, probably a bit bigger than the old Library Theatre (the closing of which was another act of incompetence).

This theatre could have been shared by the Priestley Centre and the brilliant amateur operatic societies we have in Bradford.

T C Priestley, Lynwood Close, Birkenshaw.

SIR - Jim Greenhalf is right regarding the City Hall and Bradford (T&A, January 27).

The councillors at City Hall seem to have little left to do: no worries about education which they no longer manage, council housing moving to a trust, and regeneration already privatised. What's left for them to do but come up with ideas to revamp City Hall?

Surely their time would be better served looking for something to replace the now unused fish and fruit market. There will also be the hole left on Broadway when the shops are demolished, with all being unsure as to whether anything will be built.

I must agree with Jim Greenhalf: Ninety councillors, for what?

J R Fieldhouse, Geraldton Avenue, Bradford 2.

SIR - I was concerned to read your article: "Boy sent home in meningitis scare" (January 16) regarding a Salt Grammar School boy, who is now recovering at home after receiving hospital treatment.

Having lost my own son through meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia some time ago I can well understand the concern it causes every community where cases have occurred. Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia is such a cruel and complicated disease. In most cases it happens so quickly there is little time to realise something is seriously wrong. It is vital to act fast.

Above all I wish to point out that meningococcal infection can cause two distinct forms of disease - meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia. Someone who is suffering from meningococcal septicaemia may not develop meningitis and would not necessarily have the common symptoms associated with meningitis.

Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that everyone concerned is aware of the common symptoms of meningitis and those that may exist with meningococcal septicaemia.

Knowing the facts can mean the difference between life and death. For an information pack write to me.

Steve Dayman, Operations Officer, Spencer Dayman Meningitis Laboratories, Fundraising Office, 25 Cleevewood Road, Downend, Bristol BS16 2SF or telephone (0117) 3737373.

SIR - International Human Rights organisations all agree that Libya is a merciless dictatorship and guilty of murderous acts of terrorism. Despite this, the United Nations has chosen Libya to chair the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

By George! Shame on any of its member nations, holding back on Iraq, waiting for the "wise council"of the UN. It's unbelievable isn't it?

Gary Lorriman, Long Lane, Harden

SIR - Re letters from Everson and Smith about Thornbury Roundabout. This is our roundabout. We, the people of Thornbury fought for it.

We stood up to be counted at meetings, wrote to many people and gained support to keep land which already belonged to us.

I am proud of the result and the people who worked very hard to uphold the law.

E Cliffe, Daleside Grove, Pudsey.

Sir - Bradford people with hearing difficulties grumble because they have to wait 14 months for a hi-tech digital aid. If, like many of us in the Bradford area, they had to attend the audiology department at Airedale Hospital, they would seemingly have to wait forever as only the old analogue aids are being supplied.

My doctor recently commented that "the NHS is a bit of a lottery".

In this instance, Bradford seem to be the winners.

J Pitt, Park Road, Bingley.

SIR - Regardless of the replies from councillors, there must still be consultations to remove the Bradford Archives to another city. Why not use the City Hall Council Chamber to accommodate the archives and as a library? It could then be used for educational purposes by schools.

Keith Robinson, Albert Road, Queensbury.