LAW AND ORDER: HARRY Mead talks of a 'police state' (Echo, Sept 1). He must either be living on another planet or is too engrossed in his idyllic rural environment to notice the sort of society we are becoming.

He quotes Ray Mallon and his speech to police officers, then an incident of police breaking down the door of a house in Gateshead as proof of this police state scenario.

The facts are that the majority of people are feeling let down and fed up of the thugs and anti social behaviour that is becoming the norm. Crime and violence is ignored; old people and the vulnerable intimidated or afraid to go out at night.

Murderers and violent people, instead of paying for their crimes, are walking our streets after a few years while those who represent their human rights make a fortune out of others' misery.

The only thing people want is a police force they can rely on, an establishment they can trust, safer streets and a justice that is seen to be done for the victim and punishment that serves its purpose - to protect all in society.

No-one wants a police state, but we all would like to feel safe. free to come and go as we please, free from crimes, free from violence, free from intimidation and above all, free from corrupt sentimentalism. - John Young, Crook.

TELEVISION

HAVING read your critique of Steel River Blues (Echo, Sept 2), I was surprised that you did not mention the Geordie accents that would have been more suited to Tyneside than Teesside.

The author would have been better advised to listen while on location rather than searching out panoramic shots of Wilton by moonlight.

The programme was enjoyable save for this minor irritation of listening to several repetitions of the lost Bonny Lad. - Derek Hutchinson, Darlington.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

AN ideally elected regional assembly of people of the North-East to govern the people of the North-East can only be achieved if members of the assembly are independents.

Otherwise, party politics will ensue and we shall be governed by party head offices in southern England. - JW Davison, Ferryhill.

ROAD SAFETY

IN a ground breaking ceremony, Coun George Porter and members of Chilton Town Council gathered at the Rushyford end of the new \'a39m Chilton by-pass to officially get the construction under way.

Coun Porter read a list of names of relatives and friends who had been killed on the A167. If such a ceremony was to take place could any of the councillors not inform relatives that their loved one's name was to be read out so they could attend?

This was just another photo opportunity for the people who have forced this diversion of traffic away from the centre of the village.

A by-pass this cannot be called, as it goes through the middle of the top half of West Chilton Terrace where 14 families lost their homes, some of whom had been there 25 years. Try telling the residents from number 84 upwards and those from Denebridge Row this is a by-pass when they will have to cross this diversion of traffic which will be travelling even faster to the approach of the new roundabout.

Chilton does need something but this was forced on the village and this route was not wanted.

Let's hope the planners and constructors get the construction right on this one and no-one else is added to the list of statistics of which my son is one. - Johnny Mason, Chilton.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

IT was an interesting letter (HAS, Aug 30) from County Councillor Nigel Martin which gave an insight into the inner workings of Durham County Council.

There now appears to be a Lib-Dem/Labour pact among county councillors to promote Option One of the proposed local government reorganisation.

A different tone of phrase is spoken at local level when, on July 15 at the Spennymoor Town Forum meeting, Coun Ben Ord, leader of Spennymoor LibDems, harshly reprimanded a Sedgefield Borough Labour councillor who intervened to question the authenticity of a statement he was making.

As a stakeholder, I must assume the LibDems are producing a divided and divisive policy during the next few months until the vote is taken.

Coun Martin poses the question: How would local vision be implemented under Option Two?

Option Two will be an amalgamation of local Labour-led councils who will create greater democracy for the electorate, innovation from diversity and more choice for the individual through the addition of extra services. A degree in rocket science is not required for someone to place a contract to paint school gates and railings.

Coun Martin shows concern over the relative positions of Durham City and Easington and demands facts on the situation.

Under Option One, the rich man will continue to reside in Durham City and Lazarus in Easington, but with Option Two another chair will be placed at the table so the rich man will not have to dine alone any more.

Option Two will provide local leadership, commitment, development and collective responsibility but, as a party making split decisions, the LibDems seem to have nothing to offer, which throws doubt on their leadership. - Thomas Conlon, Spennymoor.

RAF ASSOCIATION

ROYAL Air Force Seletar, Singapore, was one of the most colourful and historic of the RAF's overseas bases.

RAF Seletar closed in 1971, but is remembered with affection by members of the RAF Seletar Association.

The association was formed in 1997, the intention being to bring together any personnel who served or were based at Seletar in any capacity, service or civilian, including the families of those based there.

Should any readers wish to join with a view to renewing old friendships, please contact me for membership details. - Mrs Sylvia Hardie, 25 Cranbrook Drive, Prudhoe, Northumberland NE42 6QF.

COMPENSATION CULTURE

I CONFESS to being disappointed that Jim Tague recently chose to make no comment about our adventure in Iraq or some other aspects of our past history.

His views on our country are, of course, entirely up to himself, but he seems to be saying 'my country right or wrong'.

I cannot subscribe to this point of view, choosing rather to judge our actions on their merits.

However, on domestic matters I can agree with many of his observations.

Since the advent of the welfare state we have seen a slow decline into a culture of dependency. Of course, some people need help but others have seen a golden opportunity to get something for nothing.

Council tax needs to be urgently revised and the Government should be seeking ideas on how to achieve this.

Compensation is another word for fashion and my feeling is that people should insure themselves if they indulge in any activity that may cause injury to themselves or others.

Perhaps, I am behind the times but I believe in personal responsibility in every sense of the phrase. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.