I'VE said it before and I say it again -- the law is an ass.

I was flabbergasted when I read that Mr Patel, faced with a knife-wielding thug, had defended himself and his property with whatever means he had at his disposal at the time, had been taken to court and fined rather heavily.

Given the same situation, I would have done exactly the same as Mr Patel.

Surely we have the right to defend ourselves in such situations.

For sometime I have been rather concerned at the lack of police in our town. We pay via our council tax for policing the town, but I feel ripped off because I haven't seen a policeman for a very long time, either in my neighbourhood or in town day or night. Just where are they?

The only police I've seen are on the television in 'Heartbeat'.

G Smith, Braford Park Drive, Haulgh, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.