SIR - There appears to be no end to lawlessness in the streets of Bradford these days. The latest shooting resulted in the cold-blooded murder of a brave man who had the courage to challenge a vile piece of filth intent on villainy.

I suppose I, like a lot of other readers, have become to some degree inured to the persistent low-level, anti-social crime we experience or read about daily in the T&A.

But this last episode should surely be a wake-up call to shake us from our torpor before our "Capital of Culture" (ho, ho) becomes "Capital of Gun Culture" (far more honest, wouldn't you agree?).

Kevin O'Keefe, Highfield Terrace, Shipley

SIR - How tragic to read of another young man killed trying to be a good citizen. Tasawar Hussain was someone who had his whole life in front of him.

Criminals who carry guns go out with the intention of killing for what they want. So why is the death penalty not still in force?

To the bleeding-heart brigade who don't want this I say let them face the families who have lost sons, husbands etc.

As a mother and grandmother I cannot imagine what pain the family is going through and hope their faith will help them at this tragic time.

Catherine Alderson, St Margaret's Avenue, Holme Wood.

Sir - May I venture to suggest that Tasawar Hussain was in a no-win situation. If somehow this brave man had successfully tackled the robbers he would have been in danger of being prosecuted by the police, sued by the robbers and generally been stitched up by smarmy compensation lawyers for hurting them or "using too much force."

The Chief Constable says that "we are always happy to move (on gun crime) but then it is a question of what we stop doing."

Well for a start why not leave petty motoring misdemeanours alone for a while? Alas no chance - that would affect profits!

As for a gun amnesty, do they really think that more than a very small percentage of anybody who is prepared to use a gun will hand it in? Get real!

C R Meeke, Albert Ave, Bradford 10

SIR - I agree wholeheartedly with proposals for a medal for Tasawar Hussain. I feel deeply sorry for his family. If we want to make a better world for us and for our children and grandchildren it is time we were all prepared to stand up for what we know is right.

Steve Walsh, Church Street, Bingley

SIR - Regarding the headlines "Hero father deserves a medal". While I feel so sad for his wife and family, I must ask how many more people deserve medals? The policeman from Manchester who got murdered, the have-a-go hero from Halifax? My list could go on and, last of all, what do our police force deserve, who face these dangers every day on our streets?

Miss A Griffiths, Exley Mount, Lidget Green.

Sir - Tasawar Hussain's selfless bravery might be considered foolhardy, but if our country had more people who were prepared to refuse to turn their backs, we might see some progress. I feel so sad for Mr Hussain's family and friends. May he rest in peace.

Kevin Webster, Mons Road, Lincoln

SIR - I am writing to correct the wrong impression given in Friday's article in the T&A that the public consultations conducted in Bingley in any way recommended a supermarket on the Arts Centre site. Bingley people have come up with many imaginative ideas for a town-centre heart which your newspaper could have reported. Instead you chose to focus on the plans of a private developer .

You then invited comments from people about these plans, and from people who were not officially represented on the consultation excercise!

This is confusing, misleading and downright insulting to the many people who did attend consultations. To add insult to injury in a thoroughly sloppy piece of journalism, your article then finishes with a quote from the developer (born in Bingley!) saying what a good idea to build a supermarket on the site.

Well he would, wouldn't he!

Neil Palliser, Ferrand Lane, Bingley

l EDITOR'S NOTE: "We have published many reports about ideas for the redevelopment of Bingley town centre and this was merely an update on the latest stage in a long-running consultation process by the Council. We made it clear that it was open for people to comment on all these proposals. I'm not sure what Mr Palliser means by people being "officially represented" on the consultation exercise but we spoke to people who live and work in Bingley and have every right to have their opinions aired. Our leading article in the same edition condemned the supermarket proposal and suggested that such a proposition would be better suited to a redeveloped Myrtle Walk. We do not believe the people of Bingley would wish to lose either their green open space from the town centre or the Arts Centre."

SIR - Jim Greenhalf's otherwise commendable article on February 3 referring to proposals regarding Bingley's town centre suffered from one very important omission, as did the excellent editorial in the T&A on Friday.

There is currently a display in Bingley Library giving the results of all consultations on redevelopment together with some new proposals, including the St James Securities one. There is a copious supply of comment forms for residents of Bingley to write their thoughts on and a ballot box into which to deposit the forms.

This display lasts only to next Saturday. It is important that everyone interested in the future of Bingley Town Centre visits the display and expresses an opinion.

It is my function to reflect public opinion rather than lead it and so far consultations have revolved around a market town model with tourist attractions and I would be content with any variation on this theme.

At no stage has total blitzkreig been suggested. There are now two such proposals and I find myself suggesting that Bingley people might care to oppose both of them.

Councillor Robin Owens (Conservative, Bingley), Moor Edge, Harden

SIR - I read with interest your article regarding motorists using access-only roads to avoid congestion in Manchester Road caused by the guided bus lane.

I live in Greenhill Lane, Bingley, and this lane combined with Sty Lane is a rat run for the cutting-out of Bingley centre, due to the construction of the by-pass.

Accidents happen every week but many go unreported. Recently a van overturned in the lane, which closed it for three hours. Many children use this lane as a way to get home from school. On Sty Lane there are no pavements which makes it dangerous.

This lane has a 7.5-ton restriction which is ignored by all and sundry, especially skip wagons and large vehicles. More important these vehicles are crossing the canal bridge, which also has a weight restriction.

We have requested access-only, but been turned down.

P Worsnop, Greenhill Lane, Micklethwaite.

SIR - Re the Thornbury roundabout debate. As this area was known as Phoenix Park, wouldn't it be more appropriate to have a sculpture of the Phoenix rising from the ashes? It would also symbolise how the people of Bradford have overcome many adversities, the tragedy of the Bradford City fire, the decline of our textile and manufacturing industries, the infamy of the Ripper and other high-profile murderers and more recently the riots.

The Phoenix would be synonymous with Bradford just as the Angel of the North is synonymous with Gateshead. We need a positive, optimistic symbol and one which does not belong to another city.

Mrs J Robinson, Buckingham Crescent, Clayton.